#MyrtleMondays: Resources for Young Writers

I had an amazing time last week at the St. Louis Writers Guild Summer Writing Camp. Our young camper-writers had loads of talent and some brilliant stories in the works! I, too, began writing when I was young—seizing every opportunity to hone my craft and learn more about the career of writing. Your young writer has plenty of opportunities, too. Here are just a handful of resources targeted specifically for kids who write.

St. Louis Writers Guild Apprentice Club In addition to the Summer Writers Camp, the SLWG offers membership opportunities, writing contests, and a members-only chat room for middle and high schoolers to share their work with like-minded kids. Also check out their ongoing list of national writing contests!

The Greater Kansas City Writing Project Youth Programs work with local schools and teachers to provide writing workshops and summer camps for kids and teens in the KC metro.

NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program Myrtle fans know I am a devoted practitioner of NaNoWriMo: National Novel Writing Month. The NaNo website has loads of resources for the crazy folks who dive in to fast draft a whole novel every November—including special materials just for the crazy under-18 folks who embark on the challenge, as well as their teachers and coaches. In addition to the annual November madness, there are fun challenges throughout the year.

Utah’s Teen Author Boot Camp offers conferences, contests, workshops, and other resources for aspiring writers, including the largest conference in the nation dedicated to kids who write. Check out their website for all the programs available for teens and tweens.

Writing Barn Youth is an outgrowth of Austin’s renowned Writing Barn author’s retreat. This virtual writing club for ages 8-13 features a newsletter, virtual workshops, and school visits.

In addition to these programs, many public libraries offer writing groups and literary magazines for local young writers. Be sure to ask your youth services librarian what opportunities exist in your own neighborhood.

But the most important thing a young writer can do is write. And read. And write and read some more. These programs and more can help you connect with friends who share your passion to create.

Happy writing!