The English Language Centre (ELC) and Inscribe invite all current PolyU undergraduates to enter our Young Writer’s Contest - Passages for a chance to win prizes and be published!
Categories & Guidelines
Submit one piece of your original writing in English (personal or created individually for a course) in one of the following categories:
- Short Story: Max. 4,000 words
- Opinion/Feature Article: Max. 1,200 words
- Poem: Max. 30 lines
Note: AI-generated writing will not be accepted.
Theme (optional): If you wish, your writing may interpret the theme of "Passages" in any way that moves you—whether exploring the passage of time (Nostalgia), turning points and life transitions (Crossroads), the rhythm of everyday moments (Lyrics of Life), visions of what lies ahead (Tomorrow’s Echoes), or another creative angle of your choice.
You may also select any other theme that inspires you, including topics given in course assignments.
Key Dates
- Submission Deadline: Friday, November 20, 2026
- Winners Announced: Monday, December 7, 2026
How to Submit
Send your work as a Word (.docx) attachment to elc.inscribe@polyu.edu.hk.
Please include in your email:
- Full Name and Preferred Name / Nickname
- Year of Study, Major, Status at PolyU (full-time or exchange), and Student ID Number
- A brief declaration confirming:
- You are the original author and have not used AI tools to generate the text; and
- Whether the piece has been previously published on any third-party platform (if yes, please provide details).
Get Published!
Winning entries will be judged by members of the ELC faculty and the Hong Kong Writers Circle and may be published in the upcoming issue of Inscribe: The PolyU Undergraduate Journal of Writing.
Get Inspired! (Free Pre-Contest Workshop - Optional)
Want to sharpen your writing before submitting? Join an interactive workshop—"Heart of Writing: How to Connect with Your Reader"—hosted by Inscribe and led by our community partner and professional writer, Reena Bhojwani (Inspired Muse and Hong Kong Writers Circle):
- Date & Time: Monday, October 26 | 18:30–20:30
- Venue: QR 402
- Content: Practical strategies to make your writing more engaging and reader-focused
- Registration: Link (Seats are limited! Collected data will be destroyed after use.)
We look forward to reading your passages!
