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Literary Festival

416 McKinley Ave.
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: 630-463-3800

2023-2024 Literary Festival

Festival Date: Wednesday, April 17th at St. Charles East


The Literary Festival is a writing competition held within the DuKane conference with the intention of providing students an opportunity to showcase their accomplishments as writers. In addition, the festival is a celebration of young writers and encourages the development of a writing community among the participating schools.  Students submit entries in 6 possible categories for judging. On the day of the actual festival, the students see a guest speaker who is a professional writer, attend workshops led by the judges, and receive awards for their submissions.

Categories

Descriptive Sketch

  • We may submit up to 25 sketches. 
  • The verbal creation of a person, place or object. Must be prose (no poetry). Plot developments and conflict resolution are NOT allowed. Minimum dialogue is permitted only to enhance the description.  

Poetry

  • We may submit up to 30 poems.
  • Two poems can count as 1 entry.

Short Fiction

  •  We may submit up to 15 stories.
  • The page length may not exceed 10 pages, typed, double-spaced in 12 point font. 

Dramatic Scene

  • We may submit up to 25 entries.
  • This category includes any short scene, one-act play, or sketch written for a stage performance. Entries may not exceed 15 pagest. Radio plays, telescreens and film scripts are not eligible.

Personal Essay

  • We may submit up to 15 essays.
  • This includes, but is not limited to the College Essay. It may include creative nonfiction. (A personal essay is different than a personal narrative because of the reflective nature of the essay and its tie to a “universal truth.”

Spoken Word (Slam) Poetry

  • Must be recorded and given to Mrs. Stegenga to upload digitally. 
  • One spoken word poem counts as 1 entry. Not to exceed 3 minutes each. 

Submission Guidelines

Submission Deadline:  Friday, January 19th, 2024 

  • Students may submit up to 3 entries in a category; however, you do not HAVE to submit in more than one category
  • To submit, please use the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/HbLQNWzfV6
  • If a student submits, he or she does not have to attend the festival; judged submissions and any applicable awards will be delivered back at school.
  • If you have any submission questions, please see Mrs. Stegenga in the Library or email her at [email protected] 

 

Sponsor

Mrs. Stegenga

2022-2023 Critic's Choice Winners

Other Winners

Descriptive Sketch
Sela Illg - Critic's Choice 

Poetry
John D'Andrea - 1st Place
Noah Fay - 1st Place
John D'Andrea - 2nd Place
John D'Andrea- 2nd Place 
Michael Curshellas- 3rd Place 
Luisa Parente- Honorable Mention 

Personal Essay
Savanna Huang - Critic's Choice 
Rebecca Spezzano - 2nd Place 
Madeline Benton -3rd Place

Short Fiction

Olivia Homes- Critic's Choice 

Drama
Jack Voreis- Honorable Mention  
Juliana Marsh- Honorable Mention