Spring 2025
Prompt
- In The Souls of Black Folks, W. E. B. Du Bois introduces the concept of “double consciousness,” describing it as “this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others.” This idea speaks to a profound internal conflict, where an individual faces a significant division within themselves between two opposing desires, beliefs, or identities. Explore the theme of duality within the self, examining the complexities of self-perception, the struggle for personal alignment, or the tension between societal expectations and personal desires.
- In 2023, the United Nations reported a “steep rise in conflict-related civilian deaths,” with the recent Israel-Hamas war alone claiming over 45,000 lives. Such events highlight the fragility of global peace and the urgent need for inclusion. Examine the theme of global or social divisions — whether cultural, political, or ideological — and its impact on communities, nations, or individuals. Your writing can explore how such divisions affect the relationships, understanding, and actions of individuals or groups, and the challenges of reconciling deeply entrenched differences.
- “We are not me./ We are we./ Call us/ What we carry.” — Amanda Gorman. These lines evoke the enduring influence of the past on the present and future. Explore the theme of temporal divisions — how the past, present, and future can create separate, sometimes conflicting worlds. Focus on the tension between holding onto the past (traditions, memories, history) and pushing forward toward change and progress. Examine the challenge of reconciling what was, what is, and what could be, exploring the emotional, philosophical, and social consequences of each perspective.
Categories & Requirements
Answer the prompt with one of the following forms of writing.
Fiction
(including short story, science fiction, fantasy, and flash fiction)
Description
A fictional narrative that is written in prose.
Word Limit
500 – 2500 words for short story, science fiction, and fantasy; 1000 words maximum for flash fiction.
Dramatic Script
(including TV Writing and playwriting)
Description
Work that uses dialogue, action, and stage direction to tell a story, including scripts for television or stage.
Word Limit
500 – 2500 words. Please include a 250-word summary for your script if it exceeds 2500 words, which, adding up to the excerpt, is less than 2500 words.
Poetry
Description
Writing in verse, which may include but is not limited to formal poetry, free verse, prose poetry, and song lyrics
Word Limit
3 – 80 lines.
Personal Essay & Memoir
Description
A non-fiction work based on opinion, experience, and/or emotion that explores a topic or event of importance to the author.
Word Limit
500 – 2500 words.
Formatting
Your writing should be 12-point typed (Times New Roman), double-spaced (except for poetry), and submitted as a Microsoft Word or PDF file.
Eligibility
We accept submissions from students in grades 7-12.
Declaration
Work that is submitted to the Nova Awards must be original work created by the participant and cannot be previously published. By submitting your work to the Nova Awards, you understand and accept that winners’ works may be included in Ars Literica journals.
Timeline
Deadline to Submission: March 21st, 11:59 pm (Eastern Time).
Awards Announced: April 25th.
Awards
Grand Prize (1 person)
The winner of the Grand Prize will receive a 500-RMB scholarship.
First Prize
Second Prize
Third Prize
Honorable Mentions
Judges
Adam
Master’s in Philosophy, Columbia University; Editor at Dow Jones Barron’s Magazine.
Elleen
Princeton University, majoring in Classics, with a focus on Classical Languages, Literature, and Linguistics.
Submission
You may submit your work by clicking the portal button below.