Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Invites Teen Writers, Poets, Artists and Content Creators to Unleash their Creative Side
Are you a teen in the City of Pittsburgh or Allegheny County who loves to create? Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is accepting submissions from young writers, visual artists, musicians, filmmakers and photographers for its 2025 Ralph Munn Creative Writing and Teen Media Awards (formerly The Labsy Awards) contests. Monetary prizes will be awarded for first ($250) and second ($100) place entries in each of the following categories: Poetry, Short Prose, 2D Art & Design, 3D Art & Design, Short Film, Fashion, Music, Photography and Comics.
Ralph Munn Creative Writing Contest
Submissions for the 2025 Ralph Munn Creative Writing Anthology are now open!
Applications are due by Monday, May 12, 2025 at 9 am.
The contest is open to all high school students (9th-12th grade) in Allegheny County.
The Library’s Ralph Munn Creative Writing Contest is an opportunity for teens to showcase their writing talents and have the opportunity to be published and added to the Library’s collection. All top-rated entries will be published in the 2025 Ralph Munn Creative Writing Anthology, a book of creative work distributed to all Allegheny County public libraries. Each published teen also receives an anthology. All applicants will be notified whether or not they have won an award by the middle of July.
Complete rules, submission details, and past anthologies can be found on the Library’s website at carnegielibrary.org/kids-teens/teenspace/ralphmunn/
Category Descriptions:
Short Prose
Writers may submit original works of fiction or creative nonfiction no greater than 4,000 words in length. Short stories, personal narratives, essays, memoirs and commentaries are all acceptable for this category. In evaluating short prose submissions, judges will consider originality of content and style, development of plot or themes, technical attention to grammar and mechanics, and the author’s command of language.
Poetry
Poems of any form, including –but not limited to– free verse, sonnets, villanelles, sestinas, slam-style poetry and narrative poetry are accepted. Poems will be selected based upon the exemplary clarity, economy, and freshness of language, use of sound and rhythm, complementary nature of the form and content of the poem, and ability to evoke an intellectual or emotional response. Poetry submissions may not exceed two (2) pages in length.
Teen Media Awards
Submissions for the 2025 Teen Media Awards open Monday, May 12 at 9 am.
Applications are due by Monday, August 10 at 9 am.
Contest is open to Allegheny County teens in grades 6 -12.
The Library’s Teen Media Awards recognize the creative work of Pittsburgh teens in a variety of categories including short film, music, photography and fashion. Submissions will be judged on creativity, originality and resourcefulness.
Teens may submit up to two entries; submissions can be in any combination of the following categories:
- 2D Art & Design (paintings, drawings, prints, etc.) – Submissions from this category may also be chosen as cover art for the Ralph Munn Creative Writing Anthology, an annual publication of entries from the Ralph Munn Creative Writing Contest
- 3D Art & Design (clay, 3D prints, models, etc.)
- Short Film (an original short film no more than 10 minutes in length)
- Fashion (hand-made, modified, or up-cycled apparel and accessories)
- Music (original composition)
- Photography (original photo)
- Comics
Complete rules and submission details can be found on the Library’s website at carnegielibrary.org/kids-teens/teenspace/teenmediaawards
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