112 E 11th . Hays, Kansas . 785-625-7522
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    • Home
    • About
    • Heart of Hays
    • Smoky Hill
    • five state
    • school & youth
      • summer classes
      • creative writing
      • famous figures
    • exhibitions
      • Elemental
      • She Is...
      • Friday & Lawrence
      • Wood, Jilg, Epp
      • Mysterious Iconography
    • Quiet America
    • B
  • Home
  • About
  • Heart of Hays
  • Smoky Hill
  • five state
  • school & youth
    • summer classes
    • creative writing
    • famous figures
  • exhibitions
    • Elemental
    • She Is...
    • Friday & Lawrence
    • Wood, Jilg, Epp
    • Mysterious Iconography
  • Quiet America
  • B
Hays Arts Council

Creative Writing Contest

     The Hays Arts Council presents an annual creative writing contest in prose and poetry for Ellis County students in Kindergarten through 12th grade.  After works are submitted through anonymous codes, the FHSU English Department serves as the judging panel, chaired by faculty member, Morgan Chalfant.  Judges award 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & Honorable Mention awards.  

     Through the support of the Hays Optimist Club, books of the winning works are published and presented to winning students along with award ribbons during a ceremony & reception in the FHSU Memorial Union Ballroom. 

     The 2025 Creative Writing Awards Ceremony was held on April 27.


link to the 2025 contest details


link to the 2025 CREATIVE WRITING BOOK  (2021 through 2024 books below)

2025 Awards Ceremony

Winning works

2024 Creative Writing Book (pdf)Download
2023 Creative Writing Book (pdf)Download
2022 Creative Writing Book (pdf)Download
2021 Creative Writing Book (pdf)Download

our project sponsors

2024 Awards Ceremony

2023 awards & reception

Hays Arts Council

112 East 11th Street - Hays, Kansas 67601

785.625.7522

Copyright © 2024 Hays Arts Council - All Rights Reserved.

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