BlankIsYours (BIY) is a student-led multimedia magazine founded in late 2024 as an open platform for young people to engage with real-world issues without editorial restrictions. It was created after two students were barred from writing about the overturning of Roe v. Wade in their school publication.
Zine 01: ThisCityIsYours is the magazine's inaugural writing and art competition, inviting youth to respond to urban life, social justice, and the forces that shape their communities.
Five submission prompts:
- "That's Just How It Is" — Challenge normalized inequality and the systems we accept without question
- "The Liberty To Love" — Explore the lived experiences of queer youth and the courage of everyday acts of love
- "Two Sides of The Same City" — Reveal the dualities and disparities within a single urban space
- "Too Little, Too Late" — Capture the moment realization arrives when reversal may no longer be possible
- "Behind Closed Doors" — Explore the hidden gap between public appearance and private reality
Formats accepted: Written work (any form) and visual art (digital or traditional). All entries are considered for publication in the print/digital zine.
Prizes (per category — writing and art judged separately): | Place | Prize | |---|---| | 1st | $100 | | 2nd | $50 | | 3rd | $30 |
Deadline: September 30, 2026