The Drexel Publishing Group is now accepting submissions for its annual Creative Writing Contest until Dec. 9, offering students from all majors a chance to showcase their writing and have it considered for publication in “The 33rd,” an interdisciplinary anthology.
Students can submit their work in four categories: nonfiction, fiction, humor and poetry. Each category will have prizes for the top submissions and a chance to be featured in “The 33rd.”
The contest is an exciting opportunity for Drexel University undergraduates to express their creative voices and get involved in Drexel’s growing literary scene.
“The beauty of this contest is that it’s open to every student here at Drexel, no matter what they’re majoring in,” said Cameron Kosak, DPG’s editorial assistant. “It’s a great opportunity for students whose writing might not otherwise be seen.”
Kosak highlighted that Drexel is not traditionally known for its emphasis on literary arts: “Drexel isn’t really a school where the literary arts are celebrated as much as other subjects,” he explained. “The 33rd is the one place for writing where you can see your work alongside other talented students and faculty.”
Bryce Walsh, a past winner of the contest, shared how placing in the humor category for his story, “The Interview,” shaped his confidence and writing career: “About a year ago, my English teacher told our class about this contest,” Walsh recalled.
He decided to submit and ended up winning second in the humor category: “I’m part of Drexel Night Live. I have an overall goofy personality. I was surprised by winning, but I think it’s about rolling with what you’ve got. You might be surprised by what happens.”
Walsh noted that being published in “The 33rd” had a significant impact on his career. Not only was it a good addition to his resume, but he added, “Being published boosted my confidence in writing, and now I have some bragging rights!”
Another one of last year’s prizes went to Wriley Katcoff for her creative nonfiction piece, “Everyone Lies.” Katcoff’s journey to the submission began with a seemingly unrelated connection. “A peer counselor in my University 101 class had been published in ‘The 33rd’ the year before, which initially piqued my interest in the contest,” Katcoff explained. That led her to reflect on an essay she had written for her English class, which she felt was a strong piece.
Not only did her essay earn second place in the nonfiction category, but it was also selected for publication in “The 33rd.” The recognition was particularly meaningful to Katcoff, who had no formal aspirations of becoming a writer.
“I have no intention of being a full-time writer,” she said. “I’m an engineering student, but it did remind me that I am a good writer and that I should spend time on the ideas that I have.”
For Katcoff, the honor of placing in the contest validated her creative abilities, showing her that the written word could resonate with others outside her academic sphere: “Placing in second made me feel like other people valued what I had to say and were interested in what I could write.”
Drexel undergraduates interested in participating can find more information on submission guidelines and prizes and submit their work through DPG’s website.