"The Times Beacon Record Newspapers is delighted to be a part of the second annual Sea Glass Fiction writing contest. The writers from last year shared imaginative, resonant and whimsical stories. We look forward to the journeys this year's young authors create."

Printable Announcement Flyer

PDF of our contest announcement. 

Announcement Flyer

Printable Photo of Sea Glass for Students

A PDF for teachers to pass out to students.

Prompt for Students

About the 2025 Sea Glass Festival 

Find out about our annual community event.

Sea Glass Festival

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Guidelines

• This contest is open to residents of Nassau & Suffolk counties.
• There is no entry fee to participate.
• The contest opens on March 13, 2025 and ends on April 30, 2025. 
• All works must be original and written solely by the author.
• AI-generated or AI-edited works are not allowed and are dishonest.
• All entries must be submitted electronically through the designated portal. No email entries, paper entries, or late entries are accepted. 
• The entry must be two PDF documents: One with the author's name, and one without (to allow for anonymous judging). Entries should be Times New Roman in 12pt. 
• Entry forms will ask you to specify your word count. 
• Each entry must include the digital signature of a parent or guardian, consenting to allow their child/ward to enter the contest, confirming the story is original and written solely by the author, and granting certain rights (see below) to the entry materials.
• These contest rules are subject to modification by The Whaling Museum/TBR News Media at their discretion. 

Eligibility

• Entrants must be residents of Nassau or Suffolk counties in grades 3-12.
• Students enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program and are under the age of 20 are eligible.
• Submissions must be written in English.
• Previously published work is ineligible. 
• Previous entries to the Sea Glass Fiction Contest are ineligible. 
  
• Only one entry per person will be accepted; all subsequent entries will be disqualified. 
• Only single-author stories qualify (no co-authored stories). 
• No poetry, essays, or graphic novel styles at this time.
• Current employees of The Whaling Museum or TBR News Media, and members of their immediate families, are not eligible. 

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Judging

• What will catch our judges' eyes?
  • Writers should present an engaging, unique, and imaginative story which ties to the image of sea glass we provided. 
    
    • Judges will prioritize:
      
      • Originality and creative expression. Create a unique story, plot, and character!
        
      • Relevance to the prompt. Tie back to the sea glass shard we showed you.
        
      • Story structure: How will you shape your story?
        
      • Quality of writing: Check for grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.! (Follow conventions unless they creatively work in the story). ​
• Adults, try to resist editing your child's work: allow their own voices, perspectives, and abilities to shine. 
• Only winners will be notified. 
• All entries will be coordinated by a partnership between The Whaling Museum & TBR News Media. Judging will occur on or about May 1-31, 2025.

Winners & Prizes

• Potential winners will be notified on or about June 1-7. 
• Select winning entries will be eligible for publication in TBR News Media (print media and/or online), as well as on The Whaling Museum's website. 
• Select winners will be offered a complimentary ticket to The Whaling Museum's Sea Glass Festival, currently scheduled for July 20, 2025. At the event, select winners will be recognized by the Museum with a certificate.
• There are no cash prizes.

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Rights Associated with Contest

• By submitting an entry form, entrants’ parent/legal guardian agree to:
  • Grant The Whaling Museum & TBR News Media the right to reproduce your work during and after the contest. This includes the right to edit, publish (in print and online), promote, and otherwise use their entry materials without permission, notice or compensation. No royalties will be paid at this or any time. You can reuse all your work after the contest.  
  • Warrant that their child’s/ward’s entry is their original work and does not infringe upon or violate rights of any third party.
  • Release and hold The Whaling Museum & TBR News Media, and its employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, representatives, subsidiaries, parent companies, or other affiliated companies harmless from any and all damages, losses, claims and liabilities arising out of participation in the Contest or resulting from acceptance or claiming of any prize hereunder.
  • Abide by the Contest Rules. 
• Submission of the Entry Form constitutes permission from the participant’s parent/legal guardian for The Whaling Museum & TBR News Media to use the participants’ name, likeness, biographical information, information and materials contained in the Entry Form, photographs, and any statements or remarks made about the Contest in advertising and promotion without further compensation or permission, except where prohibited by law.
• The Whaling Museum & TBR News Media reserve the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate, suspend or otherwise cancel the Contest at any time. 
• The Whaling Museum & TBR News Media are not responsible for any expenses incurred in connection with participation in the Contest.

Submit an Entry 
Deadline: April 30, 2025

Students! Before you enter:
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1. Make sure you write and edit original work by yourself! We want to hear your writer's voice alone!
2. Check your word count. We'll ask you for it. 
3. Check your formatting:
   1. Is your work typed in Times New Roman, size 12?
   2. Is your work double spaced?
   3. Are your margins set at 1" all around?
   4. Is your title written in bold at the top of your work?
4. Upload your document as two PDFs.
   1. One PDF should have both your name and your work's title.
   2. The second PDF should have no name, but include the work's title. This is to have your work judged anonymously. 
5. Have a parent or legal guardian give their permission for you to participate, and confirm you are the sole author.

We look forward to reading and enjoying every entry.  
​We can only pick a few winners, but we hope you enjoy imagining and writing!

Thank You for Participating - Entry Is Now Closed

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