#CWA2026
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weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
Started your application already? Be sure to HIT SUBMIT when it’s ready!

Applications close January 15th, 2026. However, the application form will automatically close once 1,000 submissions are received. Don’t get left behind! Once your application is done, HIT SUBMIT!

📝 bit.ly/CWA2026
Orange promotional graphic titled “Don’t Forget to Hit Submit!” Beneath is body text that says, “The deadline to apply for the 2026 CWAs is January 15th, 2026! BUT applications will automatically close once we reach 1000 submissions. Once your application is done, be sure to Hit Submit! At the bottom of the graphic is an illustration of a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/CWA2026”, which will redirect folks to the application page containing full details.
November 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
Applications for the 2026 Creative Writing Awards are currently open! Seniors at U.S. public high schools can apply today to win $10,000 in scholarship funds. Application and scholarship details can be found at the website below ⬇️

📝 bit.ly/CWA2026
Orange promotional graphic titled “Where to Apply”. Beneath is body text that says, “Visit the Penguin Random House U.S. Creative Writing Awards webpage to apply. Full application and eligibility details are also available on this page.” There is a black arrow pointing down to a mock-up computer monitor displaying the landing page for the 2026 Creative Writing Awards. At the top of the page is a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/CWA2026”, which will redirect folks to the application page containing full details. In the bottom right hand corner there is a yellow starburst shape that says, “Apply today!”
November 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
🚨 U.S. high school seniors, don’t miss your chance to apply for a $10,000 scholarship through Penguin Random House’s annual Creative Writing Awards!

📝 bit.ly/CWA2026
Orange promotional graphic that says, “Don’t Forget to Hit Submit!” in bold, white, all-caps text. To the right of the text is an illustration of a bright gold computer mouse, hovering as if ready to click on a button. Beneath the title text is an illustration of a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/CWA2026” which will redirect folks to the Penguin Random House landing page for the Creative Writing Awards, including details about the awards and a direct link to the application. At the bottom of the graphic is a white stripe containing the logos for Penguin Random House, the Creative Writing Awards, and We Need Diverse Books. Orange promotional graphic titled “About the CWAs”. There is the following description: “Penguin Random House is partnering with We Need Diverse Books for the 2026 Creative Writing Awards—featuring the newly-named Chinua Achebe Award for Freedom of Expression! Six first-place $10,000 prizes will be awarded in the categories of: the Chinua Achebe Freedom of Expression Award, the Amanda Gorman Award for Poetry, the Maya Angelou Award for Spoken Word, the Michelle Obama Award for Memoir, and the James Baldwin Award for Fiction. In recognition of the Creative Writing Awards previously being centered in New York City, the competition will award an additional first-place prize to the top entrant from the NYC area.” At the bottom of the graphic is an illustration of a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/CWA2026”, which will redirect folks to the application page containing full details.
November 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
julwe1.bsky.social
Delighted to have a poem shortlisted for the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award! @aestheticamag #CWA2026
November 4, 2025 at 10:43 AM
lizwilsondavies.bsky.social
Delighted to learn that my poem ‘Snow Geese’ has been shortlisted for the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award @aestheticamag #CWA2026. Looking forward to reading the other shortlisted entries in the anthology.
November 4, 2025 at 9:55 AM
mishimakitan.bsky.social
📚 For senior public high school students in the US:
The Chinua Achebe Award for Freedom of Expression (brought to you by the partnership of Penguin Random House and We Need Diverse Books) is open for application. First-place prize is 10,000 USD in scholarship funds.

More info:
bit.ly/CWA2026
U.S. Creative Writing Awards - Social Impact at Penguin Random House
Young writers are our future, and Penguin Random House believes in investing in the next generation of readers and authors. In partnership with We Need Diverse Books, we host our annual Creative Writi...
bit.ly
October 2, 2025 at 3:34 AM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
📅 Applications close January 15th, 2026*

*NOTE: Applications will AUTOMATICALLY CLOSE once we receive 1,000 submissions. Don't be left behind! Once your application is done, HIT SUBMIT!

💻 bit.ly/CWA2026
Orange promotional graphic titled “Don’t Forget to Hit Submit!” Beneath is body text that says, “The deadline to apply for the 2026 CWAs is January 15th, 2026! BUT applications will automatically close once we reach 1000 submissions. Once your application is done, be sure to Hit Submit! At the bottom of the graphic is an illustration of a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/CWA2026”, which will redirect folks to the application page containing full details.
October 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
Visit the Penguin Random House U.S. Creative Writing Awards webpage to apply. Full application and eligibility details are also available on this page.

💻 bit.ly/CWA2026
Orange promotional graphic titled “Where to Apply”. Beneath is body text that says, “Visit the Penguin Random House U.S. Creative Writing Awards webpage to apply. Full application and eligibility details are also available on this page.” There is a black arrow pointing down to a mock-up computer monitor displaying the landing page for the 2026 Creative Writing Awards. At the top of the page is a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/CWA2026”, which will redirect folks to the application page containing full details. In the bottom right hand corner there is a yellow starburst shape that says, “Apply today!”
October 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
Penguin Random House is thrilled to introduce the inaugural Chinua Achebe Award for Freedom of Expression!
Orange promotional graphic titled “A New Award!” There is the following description: “Penguin Random House is thrilled to introduce the inaugural Chinua Achebe Award for Freedom of Expression! Book bans are on the rise in America, limiting the kinds of books young people can access. Penguin Random House and We Need Diverse Books believe books change lives, and that everyone deserves to see themselves in a book. The writing prompt for the Chinua Achebe Award for Freedom of Expression asks young writers to consider the effects of book bans, the power of books and stories, and share about a banned book that profoundly impacted or changed their lives.” At the bottom of the graphic is an illustration of a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/CWA2026”, which will redirect folks to the application page containing full details.
October 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
For more than 30 years, the Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards have awarded more than $3 million dollars to public high school students for their original compositions.

💻 bit.ly/CWA2026
Orange promotional graphic titled “Additional Details”. There is the following description: “For more than 30 years, the Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards have awarded more than $3 million dollars to public high school students for their original compositions. In addition to scholarships, Penguin Random House hosts a virtual development week for the Creative Writing Awards winners each summer that includes one-on-one virtual meetings with Penguin Random House editors, networking workshops, a panel about career opportunities in publishing, and fireside chats with Penguin Random House authors. The week concludes with a virtual awards ceremony.” At the bottom of the graphic is an illustration of a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/CWA2026”, which will redirect folks to the application page containing full details.
October 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
🚨 Applications for Penguin Random House's 2026 #CreativeWritingAwards are NOW OPEN!

Seniors from U.S. public high schools can apply today to win $10,000 in scholarship funds. Application and scholarship details can be found at the website below ⬇️

💻 bit.ly/CWA2026
Orange promotional graphic titled “Scholarship Opportunity!” Body text beneath the title text says, “Penguin Random House in partnership with We Need Diverse Books is offering six U.S. high school seniors $10,000 writing scholarships!” To the right of the text is a black and white illustration of a young student writing in a spiral notebook. There’s also a light orange starburst graphic that says, “Apply Today!” At the bottom of the graphic are the logos for Penguin Random House, the Creative Writing Awards, and We Need Diverse Books. Orange promotional graphic titled “About the CWAs”. There is the following description: “Penguin Random House is partnering with We Need Diverse Books for the 2026 Creative Writing Awards—featuring the newly-named Chinua Achebe Award for Freedom of Expression! Six first-place $10,000 prizes will be awarded in the categories of: the Chinua Achebe Freedom of Expression Award, the Amanda Gorman Award for Poetry, the Maya Angelou Award for Spoken Word, the Michelle Obama Award for Memoir, and the James Baldwin Award for Fiction. In recognition of the Creative Writing Awards previously being centered in New York City, the competition will award an additional first-place prize to the top entrant from the NYC area.” At the bottom of the graphic is an illustration of a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/CWA2026”, which will redirect folks to the application page containing full details.
October 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM