Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Prep Program for Teens

Does your teen want to enter prestigious writing competitions?

Give them an edge with regional and national Scholastic Awards Judge and Author L.B. Schulman

Early Bird Discount: Save $100 — pay in full (non-refundable) by the end of June

The 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Program is a small online class especially for teens, grades 7 to 12, who will enter this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Awards in a fiction category, including short story, flash fiction, and science fiction/fantasy. It’s also for any student who’s curious about competitive writing!

The program will be taught over Zoom by six-time Scholastic regional and national judge and award-winning author, L.B. Schulman, and offers 18 hours of writing and instruction, plus an optional two-hour moderated writing group session. We meet for most Saturdays in the fall. Zoom links will be provided weekly for all enrolled students.

Dates & Hours

Saturdays, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM PST/1:30 PM-3:30 PM EST (Two-hour classes each session)

Ideas/Prep work/Initial writing: 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3

Writing time: During a two-week hiatus, students will create their first draft with optional opportunity to join a Saturday group writing session, moderated by the teacher.

Editing/Polishing: 10/17, 10/24, (no meeting 10/31), 11/7, 11/14, 11/21

The Way it Works

• We meet to learn writing skills and prepare our ideas and entries. Next, students take a two-week break to write the first draft. We reunite for critiquing, editing, and polishing during the last five weeks. Students receive individualized, written feedback on their work. We finish in time for the early December Scholastic deadline!

• We review the fiction competition categories and determine which ones best suit the individual student. We analyze award-winning entries.

• I share observations and tips from my years as a regional and national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards judge.

• Crafting the right words is not the only ingredient for success; originality is fundamental. We discuss myriad ways to achieve a creative entry, such as subject matter, style of writing, and the structure of the piece itself. We also learn professional plot structure!

• Your student has the unique opportunity to work with a professional author and competition judge who provides feedback in a clear, supportive, and encouraging way.

• Throughout the program, we learn essential writing skills, such as word selection, character development, and plotting. By the end, students will be able to revise and prepare their final submission.

• Going to miss a class or two? That’s normal and expected. Everyone receives weekly Zoom links within an hour of class ending!

Class Size

This program is intentionally small to allow maximum help for everyone. It will be capped at ten or fewer students.

Guarantee

With hard work, students will have a completed draft by the end of the session or be well on their way with a plan. While no one can guarantee an award in this highly competitive environment, students will learn how to create their best work for competitions, as well as improve their writing skills. 

Testimonials from Past Students

“Lisa is the most fun teacher I ever had. She’s very direct and doesn’t sugar coat things. She is fun and approachable.“

“Unlike many other teachers I’ve had in the past, Lisa makes every class really enjoyable and interesting. I’m always having so much fun that the time feels like it goes by so fast.”

“I really liked her enthusiastic energy, how she motivated me to write. She made me think about writing differently.”

Teacher Bio

L.B. Schulman (Lisa) has been a Scholastic Art & Writing Awards judge at the regional and national level for six years. She’s the author of award-winning novels, STOLEN SECRETS and LEAGUE OF STRAYS. Lisa was also a Co-Regional Adviser for the San Francisco Bay Area Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, which helped over 3,000 professional members. She offers creative writing lessons to children and adults through private lessons and group classes.

Cost

• Eighteen hours of writing and instruction, plus additional written feedback, plus a two-hour teacher-moderated writing group session: $1,000 due in full by 8/1 and 50% refundable until 8/15.

• Space is limited. Reserve your spot now (before 8/1) with a 25% non-refundable deposit or take advantage of the Early Bird discount!

Discounts available!

• Attention Early Birds! If paid in full as a non-refundable commitment by the end of June, take an additional $100 off!
• For each additional student you refer, you receive a $50 referral bonus.

• If the class is cancelled for any reason, all fees are 100% refundable.

Have questions? litspacelearners@gmail.com