Calling young writers in Vermont and New Hampshire! CLiF’s 2024 Two-Sentence Writing Contest is officially open to submissions! Last year’s inaugural contest racked up over 700 submissions, and we’re hoping to receive even more this year. Without further ado, we present this year’s challenge:
Tell us a two-sentence story that takes place in the sky.
You may have heard the news. On April 8, 2024, there will be a total solar eclipse, and parts of Vermont and New Hampshire will be in the path of totality!
Did you know? Long before scientists were able to predict eclipses, ancient civilizations came up with their own stories to explain what was occurring in the sky. Many cultures believed that some sort of creature was either eating or attacking the sun. In China and India, it was a dragon; in Vietnam, a giant frog; in Norse mythology, wolves. Here in the United States, the Pomo people of the Northwest believed a hungry bear was the culprit, while in the Southeast, the Choctaw blamed a naughty black squirrel for chomping on the sun.
The point is, human beings have been making up stories about the sky for many thousands of years. And now, it’s your turn.
Your story doesn’t need to be about the eclipse, unless you want it to be. It just needs to involve the sky. It can only be two sentences. And it must be your own original work.
Beyond that, the sky’s the limit!
Who can enter?
Entry is free, and open to all Vermont and New Hampshire kids up to age 12!
Author Instructions:
In exactly two sentences (no more, no less!), tell us a “sky story.”
- This story could be about something you saw in the sky.
- This story could be about something that happens in the sky.
- This story could be straight out of your imagination. (Maybe you’re skateboarding on a rainbow? Using clouds as trampolines? Chatting with the birds as you fly high above the earth together? Up to you!)
The only rules are that your entry must be an original story by you, and you have just two sentences to tell it!
The Prizes!
A panel of CLiF judges will choose the top entry in each age category:
- Kindergarten and below
- Grades 1 and 2
- Grades 3 and 4
- Grades 5 and 6
Each winner will receive a five book mini-library, customized to their age and interests!
Additional Details:
Each entry must contain:
- Author’s name, age, grade, school, hometown and state
- Submitting adult’s name, relationship to author, contact email
To enter, use the printable template provided (optional) or supplies of your own. Make sure you include the required information! Educators and guardians: check out the supplementary writing contest implementation guide created by CLiF!
Entries may be scanned and emailed to communications@clifonline.org (please send group entries as one attachment, not individually!) or mailed to:
CLiF Writing Contest
3579 Waterbury-Stowe Road
Waterbury Center, VT 05677
Entries must be either received by email or postmarked by Friday, March 29, 2024.
Fine print: Entries submitted to CLiF will not be returned. CLiF reserves the right to publish entries on our website, social media, and any other CLiF platforms. Authors will be identified by first name, last initial; age/grade; and location, unless anonymity is requested. We look forward to reading your work!
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. My child can’t write. Can they dictate the story to me?
Yes! We just ask that it be a story in their own words.
2. Can my child submit multiple entries?
Yes! We love the enthusiasm.
3. Does poetry count?
Yes!
4. My emailed entry bounced back?
Please make sure to email submissions to communications@clifonline.org
5. This contest sounds fun but I am not eligible to enter because I am over 12 and/or don’t live in VT or NH.
Please feel free to send us your entry anyway; it just won’t be eligible to win a prize!
