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NSL Reads 2026 Author Night

NSL Reads 2026 short story Contest (Facebook Post) (1)NSL Reads is celebrating its 11th anniversary of encouraging imaginations, young and old, to envision endless possibilities through creative writing!

For 2026, we are excited to announce this year's short story writing competition theme: "MAKE YOUR OWN MAGIC." Pick an everyday object, make it magic and tell us what happens!  

View writing competition guidelines below.

**Save the date, Thursday, March 5, 2026.** Winners of the writing contest will be announced at our annual NSL Reads Author Event with special guest, Erin Stewart!Event will take place at City Hall at 6:30 pm.

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NSL Reads 2026 Writing Competition

Submission Guidelines

THEME: Write a short story on the theme, “MAKE YOUR OWN MAGIC."

CATEGORIES: There are three categories based on the author’s age on March 5, 2026. Adults are not permitted to assist young adults or children with writing their submissions.

  • Adult (18 years or older)
  • Young Adult (12-to-17 years)
  • Child (11 years or younger)

 

PRIZES: Three prizes will be awarded in each age category: 

  • 1st ($50.00 gift card to Barnes & Noble)
  • 2nd ($25.00 gift card to Barnes & Noble)
  • 3rd ($10.00 gift card to Barnes & Noble)
  • Everyone who enters the writing contest and attends NSL Reads on March 5, 2026, will receive a recognition

 

SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS:

CONTACT INFORMATION: Include a cover page containing your name and age category, the title of your submission, the word count, and your contact information (mailing address, telephone number, and email address). Put the title and page number on each page of your submission. DO NOT put your name on your submission. Manuscripts will not be returned.

WORD COUNT: Adult submissions may contain up to 3,000 words, young adult submissions up to 2,000 words, and child submissions up to 500 words.

FORMAT: All submissions should use 12 pt. font and be double spaced, except that child submissions may be handwritten. If submissions are emailed, they must be saved as a Word document or a PDF file.

DEADLINE: The deadline is Thursday, February 26, 2026, by 5:30 p.m. Submissions may be emailed to PARKSANDARTS@NSLCITY.GOV or hand-delivered/mailed to NSL Reads Annual Writing Competition, 10 E Center Street, North Salt Lake, UT 84054

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS: Winners will be announced at NSL Reads on Thursday, March 5, 2026, 6:30 p.m., at City Hall, 10 E Center Street, North Salt Lake, Utah, featuring local author Erin Stewart.