The International High School Writing Contest (IHSWC) is a free annual writing competition open to all high school students worldwide. Students may submit up to 5 entries across five categories:
- Short Story — Fiction or nonfiction prose narrative, 500–3,000 words
- Flash Fiction — Concise fictional storytelling, maximum 1,000 words
- Poetry — Verse in any form (free verse, formal, prose poetry, spoken word), 1–200 lines per collection
- Critical Essay — Analytical or persuasive essay on a literary work or social issue, 250–3,000 words
- Dramatic Script — Script for stage, film, or television using dialogue and stage direction, 250–3,000 words
All entries are reviewed by multiple approved judges. Awards include:
- Gold Medallion — Published in the IHSWC gallery and publication; $50 cash prize for US-based students
- Silver Medallion — Published in the IHSWC gallery and publication
- Bronze Medallion — Considered for gallery and publication
- Honorable Mention — Listed on the winners page
The contest emphasizes transparency and feedback, with all works read and evaluated without entry fees. It is sponsored by writingwaves.org.