The Roundtable Literary Magazine Writing Contest invites students to step beyond reality and into their imagination, encouraging writers to explore mystical and fantastical elements. The contest is open to students of all skill levels and the showcase highlights original works across multiple genres including poetry, short stories and personal essays.
This year’s theme was centered around self discovery through fantasy and allowed for a range of interpretations. The winner of this year’s contest decided to stay anonymous; however, they wrote a poem. Winners receive publications in the literary magazine along with a $25 dollar Barners & Noble gift card. Even if a participant does not win, strong submissions are still selected for the publication, giving more students the opportunity to have their ideas heard.
Writers are allowed to share their work publicly or privately depending on the amount of exposure they would like on their work. The Roundtable encourages students to find new perspectives by taking other students’ commentary, but editors make sure the atmosphere stays non-judgmental while still giving writers the proper critiques they need.
“We want teachers to encourage their students to submit, whether it’s anonymous or with their name, because we take anyone,” Senior Editor Hailey Raymond said. “It’s better to have students submit stuff, because we do enjoy working with people who are still trying to figure out what kind of stuff they would like to write.”
The contest itself has its own unique grading system, with each genre having its own rubric to be graded to its full potential. They look for original, innovative writing that is highly detailed and packed with vivid language and imagery, with the importance of unconventional, creative submissions emphasized. Many students fall into the same tone in everything they write. This contest allows them to shift into something more imaginative and original, giving passionate students who write only for themselves the opportunity to share their voices with others.
“The first thing that stands out to me is very detailed writing, using specific word choices to describe settings and feelings,” Senior Editor Jack Cupo said, “This stands out as fresh and compelling language using a masterful word choice to enhance the poem’s impact.”
Submitting a piece of writing is not limited to experienced writers, but also to those who are trying to find their voice and what writing they want to commit to.
“A lot of the other submissions do get put in anyway, because we welcome anyone’s writing, whether it’s beginner level, or whether it’s something that you’re workshopping,” Raymond said.
The Roundtable Literary Magazine Contest offers writers a new perspective. Students are used to only viewing their work and never receiving constructive criticism, leaving them without a chance to improve and making their work limited and bland. The editing portion helps students consider comments from a different point of view, making their writing grow by applying them correctly.
