TEXAS – Got a kid who loves to read and write? This might be worth checking out.
The Texas Center for the Book is now accepting submissions for its 2025–2026 Letters About Literature Texas Competition, giving Texas students a chance to turn their love of reading into real cash.
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Deadline: 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026
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Who can enter?
- Texas students in grades 4 through 12
- Open to public, private, and homeschool students
So… how does it work?
Students choose a book, book series, poem, essay, short story, play, or even a speech that made an impact on them and write a letter to the author—living or deceased—explaining how that work changed the way they see themselves or the world.
Competition categories
- Grades 4–6
- Grades 7–8
- Grades 9–12
Prizes
- First place: $300 and a $400 travel stipend to attend the Texas Library Association Annual Conference in Houston in March
- Second place: $200
- Third place: $100
Bonus for winners:
- A $300 grant for the winner’s school library or public library for homeschool students
- Recognition during an official ceremony at the conference
How to apply
- Submissions must be made through the online portal
- First-time users will need to create a free submittable account
- Students under 13 years old must submit a signed permission form to enter the contest
Applications are only accepted online.
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To learn more about Letters About Literature Texas 2025–2026, including official rules and full submission instructions visit their website.