Journeys 2023
***The Journeys 2023 submission webform has now closed. Thank you for your participation and support!***
We invite all Minnesota adult literacy learners to submit a written or art work, and we look forward to publishing the 2023 Journeys publication.
A confirmation email of each submission will be sent to the teacher or coordinator’s email. Please review each confirmation for accuracy.

JOURNEYS SUBMISSION STEPS:
Journeys 2023 Submission Guidelines (view as PDF)
Friday, December 2, 2022 is this year’s deadline to submit all written and art works.
Eligibility:
- Author or artist must be enrolled in an Adult Basic Education program in Minnesota.
- All submissions must be original material.
- Only one submission per person will be considered. Submissions that are not selected for publication must be resubmitted to be considered for the next edition.
- Literacy Minnesota reserves the right to edit and/or exclude submissions. Submissions not included in the book may be published on our website.
- Submission length should be 400 words or less.
Submission Requirements – Written Work:
- Written works must be submitted via webform.
- Email or USPS submissions will not be accepted.
- Submit a separate webform for each student. Only one submission per student.
- As part of the Journeys book production process, edits may be made for comprehension, clarity and spelling.
Submission Requirements – Art Work:
- Submit the original.
- Include the Journeys Artwork Submission Form (pg. 2), with all areas completed. Send art entries to the address listed on the Artwork Submission Form.
- If the original is not available, contact Kelly Rynda, krynda@literacymn.org, to inquire about acceptable alternate formats.
- Pen and ink drawings are encouraged, as they scan to print quality more easily than other media.
If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Rynda: krynda@literacymn.org or 651-251-9074.
Journeys 2023 - Letters about Literature (view as PDF)
Again this year we invite your learners to submit a written piece on a special theme, called “Letters about Literature.” This is an opportunity for learners to select and read a piece of literature, reflect on it, and write a personal letter to the author explaining how it changed their views of the world and/or themselves.
"Letters about Literature" Special Submission Guidelines:
- Select a fiction or nonfiction book, short story, poem, essay or speech (excluding song lyrics) that you have read and which has impacted you.
- Imagine sitting down with the author of this work and sharing your personal thoughts. Your letter should be personal and sincere, more like a private conversation than a book report or fan letter.
- Share specific details both about the work and about your reaction to the work. Write honestly and from your own perspective.
- Keep in mind that this is a reflective writing contest. Think about what you read and the meaning you gleaned from the author's words.
- Type your letter, which should be no more than 400 words.
- Make sure your letter includes a date, greeting, body, closing, and your name or signature. Please do not include a return address on your letter.
- Submit your letter using the Journeys 2023 submission webform.
Journeys 2023: Preview of Webform Fields (view as PDF)
This is not a submission form. To submit stories, use the Journeys 2023 submission webform: literacymn.org/journeys-2023. Email or USPS entries will not be accepted.
Here are the fields you will see in the 2023 Journeys submission webform.
Items marked with a * are required.
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Student Information
Student First Name *
Student Last Name *
Does the author wish to remain anonymous? *
- No. The author’s name WILL appear in Journeys.
- Yes, the author wishes to remain anonymous. Their name will NOT be published in Journeys. Please note that it is our wish that anonymity be granted only to authors who fear reprisal for their stories or words. Anonymous authors are not included in the Author Index.
Student City *
Student State *
Student Phone
Student Email
Student Age *
Student country of origin (or, if U.S., city and state of origin) *
Program Information
MN ABE Program Name *
Coordinator or Teacher Name *
Coordinator or Teacher Phone
Coordinator or Teacher Email *
Writing Submission
Title of Submission *
Please paste the text of the original story or poem here (please remember the limit of 400 words and do not submit pieces that exceed 400 words): *
Story Theme: *
- Challenges
- Culture and History
- Family and Friends
- Fiction and Folktales
- Goals, Hopes, and Dreams
- Journey to the U.S.
- Letters about Literature
- Memories
- Social and Racial Justice
By checking this box, the author affirms that the submission is an original story or poem. *
- Yes, the submission is an original story or poem.
By checking this box, the author gives permission for their story to be published in the 2023 publication of Journeys. Your work may appear online (our website, social media, etc.) or be used in Literacy Minnesota’s print materials to help promote Journeys and/or increase awareness of Literacy Minnesota’s mission. *
- Yes, I give permission for my story to be published in the 2023 publication of Journeys.
Submit pieces on the Journeys 2023 submission webform.
A confirmation email of each submission will be sent to the teacher or coordinator’s email. Please review each confirmation for accuracy.
The deadline to submit entries for Journeys 2023 is Friday, December 2, 2022.
Questions about the Journeys submission process or guidelines? Please contact Kelly Rynda: krynda@literacymn.org or 651-251-9074.
Submission Instructions – Art Work:
- Submit the original.
- Include the Journeys Artwork Submission Form (pg. 2), with all areas completed. Send artwork to the address listed on the Artwork Submission Form.
- If the original is not available, contact Kelly Rynda, krynda@literacymn.org, to inquire about acceptable alternate formats.
- Pen and ink drawings are encouraged, as they scan to print quality more easily than other media.
The deadline to submit artwork entries for Journeys 2023 is Friday, December 2, 2022.
If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Rynda: krynda@literacymn.org or 651-251-9074.