Tweens, do you love to write and tell stories? Submit your original short story to the Bedford Public Library. The top stories will be published in a printed collection available at the Library! Email entries to Abigail.Yardley@bedfordtx.gov by December 31.  

Rules: 

• Participants must be ages 9-12. 

• Entries must be typed and submitted as a Word doc, Google doc, or PDF. 

• Please include your name, age, phone number, and email address with your entry. 

• Entries must be at least 500 words and no more than 2,000 words.

• One short story per tween. 

• Short stories must be original works and have a title. 

• Copyrighted characters are not allowed.  

• Artificial intelligence may not be used in the writing of the story.

• No more than five illustrations may be included. Illustrations must be in pen or marker.

• Please include a brief bio with an optional picture.

• Library staff reserves the right to refuse any short stories deemed inappropriate for publication. 

Please note that the editing, formatting, and publishing of the book can take a while. Do not expect to see the finished work until June 2026.