Lift Your Voice!
Anistemi Publishing's Spring Contest
for Christian Authors Ages 11 & Up
What does ressurection look like? Find, create, or retell a fictional story or nonfiction narrative that reveals the nature, power, and reality of resurrection. We're particularly interested in stories that connect with you personally.
Submit your original fictional story or nonfiction narrative exploring resurrection! Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to understand what we look for in our selections.
Prizes
One 1st-place, one 2nd-place, and one 3rd-place will be published. All winners will be published and receive one-year membership in the Anistemi Community. 1st-place, 2nd-place, and 3rd place also receive mentorship sessions and cash prizes.
🏆1st-Place: $150 & Publication
🏆2nd-Place: $100 & Publication
🏆3rd-Place: $50 & Publication
Submission Details
Genre: fictional story or narrative nonfiction
Length: 1,500-2,500 words
Theme: Resurrection
Question to Answer: What does resurrection look like?
Open to: Christian writers ages 11-18
Submission Period: January 8th - February 20, 2026
Entry Fee: $50 *To understand the full value, please see details about our editorial process (below, under What to expect after you submit). Anistemi gives detailed attention to highest quality.
Formatting Guidelines
12-point Arial or Times New Roman font, white paper
Double Spaced
Include a brief cover letter introducing yourself and your story
Header with your name and submission category (fictional story or nonfiction narrative)
Submit your story
See Features of Previous Winners
Read Previous Winners
Click the cover to read the story; click photo to read author bios (authors are listed in alphabetical order by first name)!
Meet "Chevy," a Formula 1 racer with a reckless reputation that leaves him questioning his purpose—and position on his new team. Follow this high-speeds, high-stakes story to discover what Chevy will do when faced with a split-second decision: Will he fall into his old pattern of pride and recklessness?
We love how this story flows out of its author's personal interest. This results in impressive layers of complexity: well-developed characters, realistic narration and dialogue, and impressive sense of realistic setting. Complexity of theme is our top praise: By layering internal and external conflict, we experience—through Chevy—how God can redeem even our worst mistakes to pull us into his ongoing redemptive work in and through us. Chevy emerges as a true everyman hero that believers can love; we glimpse his guilt, his questions, and... well, we won't give away the ending!
by YA Author, Katie Klinedinst
Meet Nella, a humble servant girl who has been taken from her home and family to serve the enemy. Follow her unexpected journey to a moment of autonomous power: Will she choose love in the face of hatred and danger? And what does her example reveal about characters who serve as redeemers?
We love the realism of this fantasy piece: the complexity of the characters, the sophisticated backstory that shines through without much retelling. We also want to point out the strong agency given the main character; her voice is distinct from the author's and narrator's. This culminates thematically when Nella is faced with a decision that reveals the true autonomous power we all have the ability to exercise when we choose love...even in the face of injustice. Nella's example reminds readers that Christ, Our Redeemer, came as a humble servant child—and that his power is made perfect in our weakness.
by YA Author, Ruth Partridge
In true allegorical style, Kathryn offers a tangible picture of redemption that every reader can personally relate to. At what point do you relate most to the character? How should we respond to such an undeserved gift? Prepare to meet a rich, new voice offering modern readers access to the timeless goodness of life and freedom in Christ!
We love the authentic voice and miraculous reality painted by this vivid allegorical tale. This quality makes particularly powerful use of first-person narrative (a popular mode that's surprisingly challenging to get right). This level of allegory also demonstrates advanced care: every symbol remains faithful to the true gospel—acknowledging the weighty realities of guilt, dread, and judgement while delicately and deeply offering readers rest through the reality of Christ's love and sacrifice.
by YA Author, Kathryn Turley
What to expect after you submit
Winning stories will fit the theme, provide our members and audience with valuable perspectives on the topic of redemption, and showcase excellent storytelling skills.
All submissions must be original and not previously published.
All stories are reviewed by Janie Barbosa, Anistemi Publishing's founder and CEO, and Steffanie Schweikert, our Editor-in-Chief.
All submissions will receive an email notifying them of our publishing decision within four weeks. Please watch your Promotional and Spam folders, mark us as a safe sender, and move emails from us to your Inbox to ensure you receive your notification.
If you have not received an email within four weeks, there as been a technical issue. Email us directly to inquire on your story's status at [email protected]. We honor every author's hard work with a response from a member of our leadership team.
Please do not submit your essay for publication elsewhere until receiving a notification from us. If not selected for publication at this time, writers may submit their story elsewhere.
Winning stories will go through our editorial process, which includes:
One round of feedback from a senior member of our editorial staff
Revisions from you
Line editing from one of our editorial assistants
Cover art design & illustration
Formatting by one of the editorial assistants
Publication in Anistemi Publishing's Open Access Library
Special feature in the Anistemi Newsletter
We do not publish all the stories in an anthology. Published stories are released per a special release calendar to ensure all stories receive equal promotional opportunities, and one of our editing team will email authors to let them know when their story will be featured to Anistemi members and reader audience. We also provide authors with a special feature graphic they may share via email or website.
Our publication both grants and protects author copyright! To view examples, please visit our Open Access Library at AnistemiBooks.com. Our formatting grants the author and illustrator clear public copyright protection of their original work, and check-out protocols serve to protect original works from being downloaded or shared.
How we protect your rights
By submitting a story, you grant Anistemi Publishing LLC first electronic rights to your story. This means (1) we have the right to publish your story in a digital format at AnistemiBooks.com, (2) we'll be the first publisher of the story, (3) after publication, all rights to the story revert back to you.
Important Note: The rights for the cover illustration will revert back to the illustrator, and the formatting will belong to Anistemi Publishing. So, authors retain the right to share their story (revised with input from our staff) in other places as long as they do not require the author to grant them exclusive rights to the work; the Anistemi edition will continue to be hosted in our Open Access Library.
Our publication grants and protects author and illustrator copyrights. To view examples, visit our Open Access Library at AnistemiBooks.com.
We strive to empower young artists with the knowledge they need to confidently navigate publishing realities of online, multi-media works. We're delighted to answer questions; please send all rights-related inquiries to [email protected].
FAQs
How do I submit my essay?
Simply (1) complete the form above (located under Formatting Guidelines & above What to expect after you submit), (2) upload your pdf file, (3) enter your payment information for submission fee, (4) read & acknowledge terms & conditions, and (5) click Submit my story!
What if something goes wrong, or I need more help?
Tech-trouble happens, and we're here to help! Just email us at [email protected]. One of our team members will happily troubleshoot with you to make sure you're able to participate!
What is Anistemi Publishing's Bi-Annual Publishing Contest?
Anistemi Publishing was started to provide young authors more publishing support, from education to publication supports and opportunities. We open two publishing contests to the public each year: one in the fall and one in the spring. Through them, we hope to encourage more young Christian authors to boldly use their voice to bless those in their home, churches, community, and online (their God-given spheres of influence)!
Why do you host the contests?
We host the contests as a way of reaching beyond our membership and audience base to serve the broader community. We want to see the internet flooded with ever-increasing Christian content of highest quality!
Why are contests limited to young Christian authors?
Young Christian authors are increasingly underserved as the age of self-publishing fuels an increase in non-Christian perspectives and story. Diversity is worth celebrating, but not when it censors some voices; that's not true diversity. Our contests seek to offer not only publishing opportunities for underserved authors, but also a space where young Christians may safely explore and express their perspectives and beliefs without fear of being labeled judgmental or hateful while still learning how to respectfully communicate their belief system through story.
Who is the Anistemi Publishing Team?
You can learn more about our team here.
What's Anistemi Publishing all about?
We don't just publish. We raise up young voices! We invest in young authors because we know the valuable content is not the real treasure. The real treasure is the individual created in the image of God to declare good news. Learn more about our mission here!
How does Anistemi's Open Access Library work?
We want more quality Christian fiction online. We want to promote and protect the rights of young Christian authors who generate it. Our Open Access Library is how we turn those desires into a reality. It's the way we help young Christian readers connect with new Christian writers, their voices, and their messages...for free! Learn more about why we prioritize publishing new voices to this open access library here!
How can I get involved with Anistemi?
We're SO glad you asked! To join, view our membership offerings here. To prepare for a career in publishing while still in high school, consider Anistemi Author Academy's certification program for Christian authors. To support young authors, please connect here to read their work, subscribe to their newsletters, and learn more about the work they're doing.
1. Speak up!
Inspire readers to answer the Anistemi call to raise up Christian voices!
2. Rise up!
Explore meaning founded in the fantastic reality of Christ!
3. Unite!
Offer potential for collaboration with other Christian creators through multimedia arts, such as illustrators, voice actors, or other young Christian creators!
We're seeking creative works that:
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