The Beacon Society
  • Home
  • First Time Visitor
  • About the Beacon Society (Newsletters, Bylaws, Meeting Minutes)
  • How to Support the Society
  • Contact Our Officers / Committees
  • Sherlock's Spotlight Gazette
  • The Jan Stauber Grant
    • Apply for a Grant
    • Past - Current Grant Awards
  • The Beacon Award
    • Apply for an Award
    • Current / Past Award Winners
  • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Novels
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Return of Sherlock Holmes
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- His Last Bow
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes
  • Joel Senter Essay Contest
    • Essay Contest -- Introduction & Copyright
    • Essay Contest -- Age Levels
      • Essay Contest -- 4th-6th Grade Form
      • Essay Contest -- 7th-9th Grade Form
      • Essay Contest -- 10th-12th Grade Form
    • Essay Contest -- Rules & Prizes
    • Essay Contest -- Resources
    • Essay Contest -- Submit
    • More about R. Joel Senter
    • Past Senter Essay Contest Winners
    • Who Was Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes
  • Nancy Springer Creative Writing Contest
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Introduction & Copyright
    • More about Nancy Springer
    • Who Was Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes
    • Past Nancy Springer Story Contest Winners
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Resources
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Age Levels
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Rules & Prizes
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Submit
  • Junior Sherlockian Society
    • JSS Explore
    • JSS Experience
    • JSS Extend
    • JSS ‘B’ Recognized
  • Fortescue Scholarship Exams
  • The Puzzles of Sherlock Holmes
  • Educational Resources (Teachers, Librarians, Theaters)
    • Elementary School
    • Middle (Junior) School
    • High School
    • College / University
    • Library Programs
    • Children Theatre
    • The Life & Times in Victorian London
  • Resources for All Sherlockians (Societies, Calendar)
    • Learn About Sherlockian Societies
    • Locating a Sherlockian Society Map
    • Sherlockian E-Times Archives
  • Home
  • First Time Visitor
  • About the Beacon Society (Newsletters, Bylaws, Meeting Minutes)
  • How to Support the Society
  • Contact Our Officers / Committees
  • Sherlock's Spotlight Gazette
  • The Jan Stauber Grant
    • Apply for a Grant
    • Past - Current Grant Awards
  • The Beacon Award
    • Apply for an Award
    • Current / Past Award Winners
  • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Novels
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Return of Sherlock Holmes
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- His Last Bow
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes
  • Joel Senter Essay Contest
    • Essay Contest -- Introduction & Copyright
    • Essay Contest -- Age Levels
      • Essay Contest -- 4th-6th Grade Form
      • Essay Contest -- 7th-9th Grade Form
      • Essay Contest -- 10th-12th Grade Form
    • Essay Contest -- Rules & Prizes
    • Essay Contest -- Resources
    • Essay Contest -- Submit
    • More about R. Joel Senter
    • Past Senter Essay Contest Winners
    • Who Was Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes
  • Nancy Springer Creative Writing Contest
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Introduction & Copyright
    • More about Nancy Springer
    • Who Was Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes
    • Past Nancy Springer Story Contest Winners
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Resources
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Age Levels
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Rules & Prizes
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Submit
  • Junior Sherlockian Society
    • JSS Explore
    • JSS Experience
    • JSS Extend
    • JSS ‘B’ Recognized
  • Fortescue Scholarship Exams
  • The Puzzles of Sherlock Holmes
  • Educational Resources (Teachers, Librarians, Theaters)
    • Elementary School
    • Middle (Junior) School
    • High School
    • College / University
    • Library Programs
    • Children Theatre
    • The Life & Times in Victorian London
  • Resources for All Sherlockians (Societies, Calendar)
    • Learn About Sherlockian Societies
    • Locating a Sherlockian Society Map
    • Sherlockian E-Times Archives

The 2025 Nancy Springer Creative Writing Contest

Rules & Prizes

Picture

Students in the 9th to the 12th grade in the United States and Canada are eligible to participate in this contest. The contest is divided into two categories: 
​7th to 9th Grade

Write a traditional Sherlock Holmes story (i.e., it takes place sometime between 1881-1903) in which Sherlock Holmes solves a case. 

Your story should be a minimum of 1,000 words. 
Click here to
​proceed to the
specific rules /
questions for
​7th to 9th Grade
NOTE:  Previous 1st Place winners in this Category are not eligible to compete again.
10th to 12th Grade

Write a traditional Sherlock Holmes story (i.e. it takes place sometime between 1881-1903) in which Sherlock Holmes solves a case.

Your story should be a minimum of 3,000 words. 
Click here to
proceed to the
specific rules /
questions for
​10th to 12th Grade
NOTE:  Previous 1st Place winners in this Category are not eligible to compete again.
Each Entrant must have an adult sponsor, 21 years of age or older.  The role of the Sponsor is to ensure that the Entrant follows the Contest Rules and to provide guidance to the Entrant.
 
Sponsors may not write or edit the story for Entrants.  The story must be entirely the work of the students.  However, the Sponsor may make suggestions to the Entrant prior to the start of the story composition as specified in this document.
 
Sponsors and Entrants should read the Resources and Specific Rules carefully before starting the story.  It includes suggestion that may help the entrant with developing a story.
 
Stories must include a fully completed Cover Sheet/Entry Form as included on this website.   Stories received by the Beacon Society without this completed form will not be read and will not be eligible for prizes.
 
Stories are to be written in English, using word-processing software such as Microsoft Word or an equivalent, in a 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced. Sponsors may guide the Entrants in complying with this requirement.
 
The Entrant’s name, email address and the page number (page x of x) must appear in the lower left-hand corner of the footer of each page following the Cover Sheet.  A Sponsor may assist the Entrant in formatting the pages.
 
Entrants will be judged on the quality of their story.  Judging criteria are accessible under the JUDGING tab.  Sponsors and Entrants are encouraged to review the judging criteria before beginning their story. 
 
Teachers may sponsor multiple Entrants per classroom per Story Contest Category for judging. 
 
Parents may sponsor an story for each of their children in any Story Contest Category.
 
Entrants may email their own story, or they may be emailed by the Entrant’s Sponsor on the Entrant’s behalf.
 
Stories must be emailed and received by the Beacon Society by  December 15, 2024 to be eligible for the prizes.  Stories may be submitted at any time during the contest period and need not wait until the end of the contest period.
 
Stories received by Beacon Society will not be returned to the Entrant or the Sponsor.
 
If you have additional questions, please email Ann Andriacco at [email protected]
 
Prizes in each Category Prizes will include:
            1st Place – a Plaque and Cash Prize ($500 for 10-12th grade winner; $300 for 7-9th grade
​                               winner)
            2nd Place - a Plaque and $200 Cash Prize
            3rd Place - a Plaque and $100 Cash Prize

 
The winners will be announced shortly after the contest deadline.  If possible, the Beacon Society will have a member of the Society present the Springer Prizes at the contest winner’s school.  If an in-person presentation is not possible, the Springer Prizes will be mailed to the winners.
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • First Time Visitor
  • About the Beacon Society (Newsletters, Bylaws, Meeting Minutes)
  • How to Support the Society
  • Contact Our Officers / Committees
  • Sherlock's Spotlight Gazette
  • The Jan Stauber Grant
    • Apply for a Grant
    • Past - Current Grant Awards
  • The Beacon Award
    • Apply for an Award
    • Current / Past Award Winners
  • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Novels
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Return of Sherlock Holmes
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- His Last Bow
    • A Comprehensive Look at the Stories of the Canon -- The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes
  • Joel Senter Essay Contest
    • Essay Contest -- Introduction & Copyright
    • Essay Contest -- Age Levels
      • Essay Contest -- 4th-6th Grade Form
      • Essay Contest -- 7th-9th Grade Form
      • Essay Contest -- 10th-12th Grade Form
    • Essay Contest -- Rules & Prizes
    • Essay Contest -- Resources
    • Essay Contest -- Submit
    • More about R. Joel Senter
    • Past Senter Essay Contest Winners
    • Who Was Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes
  • Nancy Springer Creative Writing Contest
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Introduction & Copyright
    • More about Nancy Springer
    • Who Was Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes
    • Past Nancy Springer Story Contest Winners
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Resources
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Age Levels
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Rules & Prizes
    • Creative Writing Contest -- Submit
  • Junior Sherlockian Society
    • JSS Explore
    • JSS Experience
    • JSS Extend
    • JSS ‘B’ Recognized
  • Fortescue Scholarship Exams
  • The Puzzles of Sherlock Holmes
  • Educational Resources (Teachers, Librarians, Theaters)
    • Elementary School
    • Middle (Junior) School
    • High School
    • College / University
    • Library Programs
    • Children Theatre
    • The Life & Times in Victorian London
  • Resources for All Sherlockians (Societies, Calendar)
    • Learn About Sherlockian Societies
    • Locating a Sherlockian Society Map
    • Sherlockian E-Times Archives