1. Consider if this program is right for you and your class

The program is currently available for 6th to 8th-grade students. Teachers will need to help us keep things organized. The benefits of the program are highlighted in ‘Program Highlights’

Best part? This program is completely free! 

2. Complete the Sign Up form

Sign ups are open now until October 31st.

After you sign up, you will be sent your own Google Folder that is shared with the National Steinbeck Center (NSC). This is where the student submissions will be shared between you and the NSC.

3. Start Writing! Submissions are due January 31st

Once you are signed up, have your class(es) start writing! 

We’re excited to encourage your students to create their own creative writing pieces! Our submissions range from personal narratives and historical fiction to poetry and even comic strips. Our goal is to showcase these young writers’ creativity and let their individual voices shine in the anthology.

If you assign a prompt, please share a copy in your Google folder, and we’ll include it in the anthology for readers to enjoy! 

While we appreciate and encourage students to explore John Steinbeck’s work, we also want to nurture their unique creativity. If you’re interested in John Steinbeck readings, feel free to reach out to Education@steinbeck.org.

4. Make sure all submissions are in your Google Folder!

To make sure that your students’ submissions are eligible to be put in the published anthology, make sure that all submissions are shared in the shared Google folder via Google Drive.

Can’t find your shared folder but you know that you signed up? Email: Education@stienbeck.org 

5. After January 31st...*

Consider what student(s) would benefit from the Day of Writing.

These students may be the students who put in a lot of work on their writing piece, had a great time, deserve a little bit of fun, or need extra support! Coaches are AP high school students in good standing.

Nominees to the Day of Writing is completely up to the teacher! We trust your judgment! 

*Day of Writing is available for local students only!*

6. Join us for the Awards Night! (April)

Our annual Awards Night, held in April, is a special occasion where we celebrate our students, their winning submissions, and the dedicated teachers who participate. Our winners are selected by external judges based on both their submissions and the average number of votes received. As a token of appreciation, both the winning students and teachers will receive small gifts alongside our heartfelt praise.

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7. Published Anthology (May)

Finally, we print all the submissions we receive via Google Drive in our shared Google Folders. Once the books are published, we deliver or mail them to the schools, where participating teachers distribute copies to students. Each student who submits their work will receive a copy of the anthology. Any remaining copies will be available for sale in our bookstore for family members who want their own copy.

Check out our anthology from last year! 

Ready to sign up? Click the button below:

Need more information?

Check out this slideshow

Have more questions? Email the Education Director!