SUBMIT YOUR STORY!

Ready to make history as big as Texas?
You can become a published author or illustrator!

Download Rules

The iWRITE Organization and The Bryan Museum are partnering with New York Times bestselling author and illustrator team, Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulus, to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Published Book in the World called I Am Texas!

We are looking for 1,000 students to be a part of the Ordinary People Change the World book series and help us break a Guinness World Record!

To break the record, we’ll be creating a massive book (OVER 7 feet tall!) that will be displayed at The Bryan Museum, alongside its Texas and American West collection of historical artifacts, books, and artwork.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

  1. Tell your Texas Story. This year’s theme is all about Texas. Maybe you and your family have lived in Texas for generations, or maybe you just moved to Texas. Or, maybe you’ve done your research and know that Texas is full of adventures and history. If you’re telling a story about Texas in words or artwork, you can enter.
  2. Enter the contest. Students in grades 3-12 can enter stories (fiction or nonfiction), poetry, and illustrations. Let your imagination run wild! The deadline is March 2, 2022 (That’s Texas Independence Day!).
  3. Celebrate Texas! One-thousand students will be selected for publication. Students will be invited to our annual book signing celebration and the official Guinness World Record judging event in Houston, TX. New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer and Illustrator Christopher Eliopoulos will be announcing this year’s Editor’s Choice Award winners and Featured Illustrator!
  4. The “I Am Texas” writing and art contest will recognize six geographic region winners. Use the following map below as your guide to determine which region of Texas you live in for the purposes of this contest. 

    All entries must be received using the contest portal link. You will be prompted to create an account to upload your work and fill out the entry form.

Geographic Region Awards Map

Geographic Region 1 (in purple) consists of TEA educational service centers 12-13

Geographic Region 2 (in light green) consists of TEA educational service centers 7-8 & 10

Geographic Region 3 (in brick) consists of TEA educational service centers 2-6

Geographic Region 4 (in yellow) consists of TEA educational service centers 9, 11, 14, & 16-17

Geographic Region 5 (in blue) consists of TEA educational service centers 1, 15, & 18-20

Geographic Region 6 or Honorary Texas – Choose this designation if you reside outside the state.


FICTION & NONFICTION
Telling Your Texas Story Through Prose
Stories about Texas are as wide as the Texas sky and as diverse as the Texas landscape. Use your personal experiences, family stories, research and, of course, your imagination to write a story that embodies what Texas means to you. Put your fictional characters smack dab in the middle of a real historical event or tell the true story of your family’s connection to this great state.  Whether through fiction or nonfiction, everyone has a tale to tell, so let your creative star shine by proclaiming, “I AM TEXAS!” 

Contest Submissions Now Closed. Please check back for updates. Winners announced in May.

Rules for Writers Submitting Stories.

  • The required word count for stories written by students in 3rd grade is 700 to 2,500 words.
  • The required word count for stories written by students in 4th – 12th grades is 1,000 to 2,500 words.
  • Entries must be typed using only Times New Roman Font, 12-point size in black.
  • Entries must include the name and story title at the top of the first page.
  • Each contestant’s work will be judged based on how well  the writer incorporated the “I Am Texas” theme into their work.
  • Each contestant’s work will be judged on grade-level appropriate content, grammar, and spelling.
  • Stories may not contain offensive material or language. iWRITE promotes positive values and lessons within its stories; therefore, students are encouraged to use good judgment when writing and developing stories.
  • Note that iWRITE checks for plagiarism in order to respect copyright laws. Any entries not written solely by the student will be disqualified.
  • If your story is chosen for publication, you will receive a licensing agreement allowing iWRITE to publish your work; however, you will remain the owner of the copyright.
  • Stories must be written in English with the option to enter the English as a second language category.
  • Always edit/revise multiple drafts and have fun!
  • iWRITE does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, gender or religion in its programs and contests.
  • Not following any of these rules may result in disqualification.


POETRY
Telling Your Texas Story Through Poetry
Samuel Taylor Coleridge once defined poetry as the best words in the best order. Celebrate how you embody “I AM TEXAS” through the best words. Like the great diversity of the people of Texas, there are numerous Texas themes for poetry including historical perspective, cultural celebrations, family memories, thoughtful introspection, and varied viewpoints.  All varieties of poetry are enthusiastically encouraged.

Contest Submissions Now Closed. Please check back for updates. Winners announced in May.

Rules for Writers Submitting Poetry

  • Poems must be between 8 and 24 lines.
  • Poems must be typed in Times New Roman Font, 12-point size in black ink.
  • Author name and poem title must be placed on the top of the first page.
  • Poems must fit the “I Am Texas” theme.
  • Each poem will be judged on creativity, artistic quality, and correct word usage.
  • Poems may not contain offensive material or language. iWRITE promotes positive values and lessons within its publications; therefore, students are encouraged to use good judgement when writing and developing their poems.
  • Note that iWRITE checks for plagiarism in order to respect copyright laws. Any entries not written solely by the student will be disqualified.
  • Poems must be written in English with the option to enter the English as a second language category.
  • Poets should edit/revise multiple drafts and have fun!
  • iWRITE does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, gender or religion in its programs and contests.
  • Not following these rules may result in disqualification.

ARTWORK
Telling Your Texas Story Through Art
From the sandy shores of the Texas coast to the deep greens of the piney woods and from the rosy pinks of Palo Duro Canyon to the bright lights of the big cities, Texas is full of bold and vibrant colors. Whether it’s the view out your window, a glimpse into your heart, or a vision of the past or the future, create a picture that expresses what “I AM TEXAS” means to you.

Contest Submissions Now Closed. Please check back for updates. Winners announced in May.

Rules for Artists Submitting Illustrations

  • This year’s artwork should focus on the “I Am Texas” theme; however, we understand that there are many ways to interpret this idea.
  • Hand-drawn illustrations, paintings or digital artwork may be submitted. (NO other types of artwork such as photographs or sculptures may be submitted for consideration.)
  • Artwork may be submitted in either a portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Artwork should be a minimum of 8-1/2×11 and maximum 24”x48” in size to ensure a high-resolution, print-quality scan is possible. 
  • Pictures of artwork that are submitted need to be a minimum of 300 dpi.    
  • An 1/8 of an inch will be cut off of each margin during printing. Don’t put anything important at or near the edges.
  • KEEP YOUR ORIGINAL ARTWORK. Winning artists may be asked to submit their original artwork to be professionally scanned for print publication.
  • Don’t use words in your picture.
  • Clean it up. Erase any stray pencil marks thoroughly. If it’s a mark on the piece of paper, it will print.
  • Use bold colors and be sure to darken the colors if using colored pencils. We want your artwork to look good in print.
  • Get inspired by art online, at the library, or at home, but don’t copy!
  • Artwork may not contain offensive material. iWRITE promotes positive values and lessons within its stories; therefore students are encouraged to use good judgment when developing illustrations.
  • If your illustration is chosen for publication, you will receive a licensing agreement allowing iWRITE to publish your work; however, you will remain the owner.
  • Any entries not created solely by the student will be disqualified.
  • Get creative and have fun!
  • iWRITE does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, gender or religion in its programs and contests.
  • Parameters for subject matter include things that are related to Texas, the Texas experience, and the “I Am Texas” theme.  
  • Artwork that does not pertain to present day Texas or Texas history will not be eligible to win.   

If you have any questions regarding the contest, please contact us at contest@iwrite.org