2024 Contest for
Creative Writing
Unleashing creativity through words, beyond visual boundaries
Winners Announced Below!
2024 Contest for
Research Essays
Pushing young scientists to conduct deep analytic thinking, beyond visual barriers
Winners Announced Below!
August 2024 Creative Writing Contest Winners
Our Grand Prize Winner is Maddie Rosales!
Hailing from Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, Maddie’s poem “As God Steps Away” has won her a $2500 scholarship and $2500 for her school.
“What initially began as a writing assignment for my Environmental Science course quickly evolved into one of the most meaningful pieces of poetry I’ve produced to date. “And God Steps Away” depicts the development of invasive industrialization and the ways in which it has displaced the natural world. I hoped to address through expansive imagery how our interactions with the planet reduce as our reliance on corporate technology grows.” - Maddie
Our Second Place Winner is Skyelar Wiedrich!
From the University of Central Florida, Skyelar’s powerful short story “I Am Afraid” has won her a $1000 scholarship.
Finally, our Third Place Winner is Gabriel Maduro!
A student at the Washington State School for the Blind, Gabriel’s short story “The War” has won him a $500 scholarship.
“I very much enjoyed this writing prompt and generally what literature across horizons does because writing has always been an outlet for me, and you guys have allowed me to express that while also Challenging me to think about what to write.” - Gabriel
August 2024 Creative Writing Contest Prompt
This year, we’ve chosen the open ended word challenge: Perspective.
We are seeking stories not solely about living with blindness and low vision, but multifaceted experiences that are unique to every blind or low (BVI) individual. In other words, our main aim is vulnerability, and we want submissions to reflect every participant’s distinct emotions on how they view the world and vice versa.
We will consider all forms of creative writing whether it is in the form of prose, fiction, poetry, screenwriting, etc. There is no official page limit. All ranges of experience are considered; we are looking for honest and unafraid work. Any BVI individual 14-18 years old is eligible to submit!
Judges for the 2024 Creative Writing Contest
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Kristen Witucki
she/her
WRITER AND ACCESSIBILITY SPECIALIST
Accessibility Specialist and Content Creator at Tamman, Inc.
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Matthew Kelsey
he/him
WRITER & ACTOR
Poems have appeared in The American Poetry Review, Copper Nickel, and elsewhere.
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Nathan Osorio
he/him
POET, SCHOLAR, EDUCATOR
Works featured in BOMB, The Offing, Boston Review, and elsewhere.
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Brody Parrish Craig
they/them
WRITER & POET
Works featured in EOAGH, Rattle Poets Respond, & TYPO, and elsewhere.
Research Essay Contest Results
Literature Across Horizons will be hosting an scientific research essay contest. Open to all blind or low vision students ages 14-18.
Requirements
Participating individuals must be BVI and be in the age range of 14-18 years old to submit.
The essay should contain approximately 1000-1200 words (1200 word limit).
A reference list at the end of your essay with all of your used sources cited in Chicago format.
Prize
The winner will receive a $500 grant as well as a chance to fly out to Stanford University to meet current Professors of the Center for Digital Health.
We will notify the winner by October 15th and extend an invitation to attend the Stanford digital grant ceremony on the 29th, a Tuesday.
Anyone who submits should be prepared to attend this event if they win.
This will be an opportunity to learn about up and coming technologies that could benefit all BVI individuals in the future.
Furthermore, Literature Across Horizons will fund the entire trip.
Congrats to Mina Lamarra!
From Huntington Beach, California, Mina Lamarra’s submission, “How Artificial Intelligence Can Assist the Visually Impaired to Become Medical Doctors,” impressed judge Dr. Hoby Wedler with her genuine passion for the subject of accessibility in medicine and science for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Her work earned her a esteemed invitation to Stanford’s Center for Digital Health’s annual symposium.
“It was truly such a great experience for me. I learned so many amazing things and met some very cool people” - Mina
August 2024 Research Contest Prompt
Write a research essay examining how the medicine and science industries can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation to expand accessibility and inclusion for individuals who are blind or have low vision (BVI). The essay should present a clear thesis arguing that strategic implementation of AI and digital tools has significant potential to enhance accessibility, independence, and quality of life for the BVI community.
When thinking about how AI has helped the blind and low vision community, think about how technology allows this community to thrive in a sighted world. What applications can those with blindness or low vision use to become medical doctors? How can they use AI and technology to better understand scientific data and study STEM subjects better? How can AI and tech help people who are blind or have low vision work in science laboratories? There’s no limit here! Be creative and have fun.
This essay should contain a clear, concise, scientific writing style; we are seeking a logical flow and structure that is consistent throughout.
Judge for the 2024 Research Essay Contest
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Dr. Hoby Wedler
he/him
AMERICAN CHEMIST AND ENTREPRENEUR
Sensory expert who earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry at UC Davis.
Partnering Schools and Organizations
Our mission
According to AFB, there are 600,000 children with visual difficulty. At Literature Across Horizons, we celebrate the power of creative expression and empower the unique voices of low vision students. Our mission is to make creative expression accessible for all and help blind or low vision students share their perspectives with a wider audience.
FAQ
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Once the prompt is announced, you will have until September (dates TBA) to submit your entry. More details will be announced soon! Stay in the loop by subscribing to our newsletter here.
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This contest is open to blind or visually impaired youths aged 14–18. You can participate as an student or collaborate with us as a school/organization.
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The contest is free for participating individuals and schools thanks to our generous sponsors.
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If you are a school or organization for blind or visually impaired youth, we would love to collaborate with you! By collaborating, you will give your students access to this contest and we will provide further details and marketing materials. Send an email to literatureacrosshorizons@gmail.com and we can get you onboarded as a participating school/organization.
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Yes! Literature Across Horizons is a 501(c)(3) organization and we'd love to partner with you. A donation to us not only support BVI initiatives (such as contest prizes), it is also tax exempt.