For the past six weeks, teen writers from across the world have been gathering on Zoom to get inspired, write, and share together in the first-ever #TeensWriteAcrossAmerica Marathon. Together, we traveled from the Turtle Mountains in North Dakota, to the rich cultural hubs of Los Angeles, to the musical city of Nashville, back westward to the prairie lands of Oklahoma, and finally to the history and beauty of Long Island, NY.

Hundreds of young writers created in this community weekly, with teens logging in from 49 out of 50 United States, at least 4 territories in Canada, and countries beyond North America. Writers ranged in age from late elementary to college sophomores, all of them bringing a unique perspective and opportunity to grow. At each stop, we were led by talented young writers who created maps to tour us around their home state and a selection of writing prompts. Participants were given the opportunity to explore on their own or write to a prompt and then share their work with their peers. In our last meeting, we were joined by educators and published writers from around the country who met with teens in small groups to offer feedback on their pieces.

If you missed a stop, don’t worry, you can still find inspiration from the tours created by our hosts! Check out the full list of marathon stops with links to the tours and prompts below.

• Turtle Mountains, ND with Sunni Parisien and Kelly Sassi of the Red River Valley Writing Project: Explore and write
• Los Angeles, CA with Zooey Lê-Baker and Lelalois Beard of the Los Angeles Writing Project: Explore and write
• Nashville, TN with Harpeth Hall students Eleanor Taylor, Avary Hassan, Ava Grace Meredith, and Elisabeth Nelson and Katie Schrodt of the Middle Tennessee Writing Project: Explore and write
• Oklahoma with Julie Dawkins and Susan Martens of the Prairie Lands Writing Project: Explore and write
• Long Island, NY with Juliet Lubwama and Darshna Katwala of the Long Island Writing Project: Explore the slides

Young writers located in the United States and Canada in grades 7–12 (age 13 and up) are invited to share their work with the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards! Deadlines vary by region, starting as early as December 1. Learn more and create an account at artandwriting.org.

Image Credit

Jasmin Lian Camat, A Glimpse into the Rabbit Hole, Photography. Grade 9, Leilehua High School, Wahiawa, HI. Keith Sasada, Educator; Hawai’i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Affiliate. Gold Medal