
In celebration of the work of high school writers and editors, Pratt Institute’s Writing Department is pleased to introduce our first annual High School Magazine Prize!
Winners will be publicized on the Pratt website, interviewed on Pratt Writing’s instagram, and will receive a special commendation from the prize judges. Winning submissions will also be collected in the archives of the Pratt Libraries.
Eligibility requirements:
- We are looking for multi-author magazines and journals, featuring a range of contributors and creative work
- The range of publications submitted may include magazines produced in high school classes or clubs (or otherwise supported by a high school). We also welcome magazines and journals sponsored by organizations that support high school writers, as well as DIY journals, zines, or magazines by high school students
- While editorial, reporting, and interviews may feature in the issue, eligible issues must include creative works of fiction, nonfiction/memoir, poetry, comics, scripts, and/or experimental writing
- Both print and digital lit mags will be accepted
- Issue must have been published between September 1, 2025 and December 1, 2026
- If more than one issue of a lit mag was published in that window, we ask that editors select only one issue to submit
- The writing and visual art contained in the issue must have been created and edited by high school students
- Creative work generated using AI is not eligible
Submission requirements:
- Print magazines must be submitted as a PDF (scans and photographs are welcome), and digital magazines may be submitted as either a PDF or a link
- Submissions must be accompanied by a 1-2 paragraph statement from the editor(s) describing the editorial vision and editorial process behind the issue
- The submission form must be completed by a teacher, counselor, or other educator 18 or over who can attest that the submission’s authors and editors are high school students.
Judging criteria:
Pratt Writing Department Faculty will judge the submissions that meet the eligibility standards based on the following criteria:
- Literary and artistic merit of pieces included
- Overall clarity and creativity of editorial vision
- Thoughtful approach to design and layout
Submissions will be accepted between October 1 and December 1, 2026, and winners will be announced in spring 2027.