CELEBRATION OF YOUNG WRITERS

ASAP!’s 21st Annual Celebration of Young Writers empowers students to share their love of writing with the world. Public, private, and homeschooled students from across Connecticut are invited to submit for a chance to be recognized for their outstanding work and read their pieces in front of a live audience. The Celebration of Young Writers stage is a place where student voices are amplified, and their passion for writing can be shared with the world.

Written pieces will be selected through a blind judging process by a panel of literary professionals. Selected pieces will be published and presented on stage at ASAP! Celebrates Courage on May 30, 2026. One writer will be chosen to receive the The Jean Farley Levy Award for Excellence in Writing.

Celebration of Young Writers was inspired by ASAP!’s objective to foster children’s creativity and imagination in the literary arts. It was established with the help of Ellen and Frank McCourt, Ann and Denis Leary, and Susanna Salk.

Submissions open February 2, 2026