COCC Annual Writing Contest

Graphic of a yellow pencil with the words "Student Writing Contest"

Announcing COCC’s Fifth Annual Student Writing Contest! The Humanities Department wants to celebrate and promote excellent student writing at COCC. Winners will have their work published on the Humanities Department website, receive a gift card prize to a local bookstore, and be invited to participate in a public reading on the Bend campus during Week Ten of Spring Term 2026.

Submission guidelines: We are looking for original, unpublished writing from current COCC students. This year, there will be a winner and a runner-up determined in four separate categories: academic nonfiction, creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. One entry per category permitted (one complete poem, story, or essay). Maximum of 2000 words for each submission. Excerpts of a longer work such as a novel or memoir are permitted, but should be self-contained.

Submission deadline and details: Contest concluded for this academic year. Check back winter 2027 for submission instructions.

Questions? Email Eileen Sather at writingcontest@cocc.edu.

2025-2026 Student Winners

Academic Nonfiction

First Prize: Chris Gonzales
Second Prize: Tony Wolfer

Creative Nonfiction

First Prize: Cindy Lin Nguyen
Second Prize: Savannah Schlappy

Poetry

First Prize: Julian Hasbun
Second Prize: Neil Weiss

Fiction

First Prize: Dylan Piazza
Second Prize: Katya Agatucci