PLEASE refrain from donating under a team unless you are submitting your competition submission fee. We are using this to track progress.

THE CAUSE:

Background: The World Literacy Foundation is an international nonprofit working to give every child across the globe the path to full literacy. They donate books, innovative technology, and other educational resources through their extensive network. By promoting literacy through their programs, they are actively working towards a future where every kid can read and write. Nothing should stop a child from getting the education they deserve. In their last global assessment in 2022, they distributed 180,000+ books, provided 8,400 hours of tutoring and coaching support, and mobilized 5,400 volunteers. They have established offices in all continents as of 2025, with the recent addition of India.

Right now, these kids need your help more than ever. Whether it be gender laws or a humanitarian crisis, nothing should be stopping a child from learning how to express themselves. Donate now to make an impact!

Here is their website for more information: https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/

HOW IT WORKS:

Teams: Several youth organizations will be competing in two teams, both actively working to reach the finish line.

Pink Champagne: Magnolia Literary Magazine, Teen Crush Magazine, She-Literacy, The Cove Magazine, Yin Literary, YoungLitScholars, Meraki Magazine, Epiphany Anthology, Entelechia Collective, Omelora Project, Ukiyolit, Tranquility Poems, The Cadence Review, Lit Up, Mercuri Magazine, Sincerity Literary Magazine, Wonton’s Letter, The Mauka Magazine, Wabi Sabi

Vesperberry: Apracity Literary, The Read and Give Project, Seeds of Reading, Booked for Charity, Venus, Darling Magazine, The Narrative Magazine, Haven Literary Magazine, The Wanderlust Archives, Littles Miniature, The Third Eye, Alchemy Magazine, The Dabbling Duck Magazine, Metanoia Literary, The Inky Pen, Backburners Teen Magazine, Perilune Magazine, Elysian Literary, The Hyperbolic Review, The Avenoir Magazine

The Finish Line: For a team to officially beat the other one, they must reach the total of 5,000 lines of poetry submitted. Teams will keep track of line count as submissions roll in, ensuring that they will stop taking pieces at this cap. This guarantees at least $500 that will be raised, as the deadline and cut off for this competition will be when one team is successful in their goal.

The Prize:

The top 10 submissions are recognized as finalists, and receive a certificate of recognition, as well as publication in our winner’s issue. The top 5 will receive a commissioned art piece done by the artists at Apracity Literary for their poems, which are worth about $20-50 outside of the competition. A first place winner and two runner ups will also be announced. The grand prize will be an interview and recorded reading of the 1st place piece (done by the author or a separate selected reader), to be published with the help of all participating organizations and the World Literacy Foundation.

If you are interested in submitting your work, the submission fee process is linked below. Your submission fee is the donation. Once you have donated, a thank you email will be sent to your inbox with the application form. You must send in your money on behalf of one of the selected teams. Writers are limited to ONE submission per person.

Starting with an initial fee of $1, writers will be charged an additional $1 per ten lines of writing. Use the “Other” box to fill in your total fee.

EXAMPLE

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,

consectetur adipiscing elit,

sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt

ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

Ut enim ad minim veniam,

quis nostrud exercitation

ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip

ex ea commodo consequat.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

in voluptate velit esse

cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident,

sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

This has 13 lines total, meaning the final submission fee will be $2. The baseline fee being $1, and the addition of a full 10 lines adding another $1.

Crossing the Lines