Friends of Ferguson Library

A regional literary competition by Friends of Ferguson Library for Stamford students (grades 3-12) promoting creativity in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Winners earn publication, awards, and recognition.

The Friends of Ferguson Library Literary Competition, organized by the Friends of Ferguson Library in Stamford, Connecticut, is an annual regional contest for students in grades 3 through 12 who live or attend school in Stamford. It fosters literary creativity and self-expression through poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writing. Winners are awarded certificates, gift certificates to the Friends Book Shop, and publication in an anthology, celebrated at an awards ceremony.

Competition Details

Judging Criteria

Entries are judged within each grade group across the three categories by volunteer judges. Four winners per category per grade group are selected: first, second, third place, and honorable mention. Judging criteria include insightful content, originality, appropriate topic, organization (clarity, focus, coherent expression), development of theme, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Fiction must present and resolve a conflict, nonfiction must be logically developed with listed sources, and poetry is assessed for style, rhythm, and structural elements.