Find your voice.
Give it somewhere to go.
For students with stories to tell and the ambition to tell them well. Read closely, take creative risks and shape work that feels unmistakably yours.
Aim higher. Go deeper. Make your work count.
An ambitious writing target
A literary challenge that values original work, a distinctive voice and deliberate craft. Cash prizes reach US$2,000 per category; selected work may be showcased.
What is Bennington?
Bennington College’s international awards recognise original fiction, nonfiction and poetry by students in grades 9–12. Entry is free.
Start with what you notice. Develop a voice, shape a scene or a line, then revise until every choice serves the work.
Explore the official competition ↗Two formats. Real teacher support.
Learn at your own pace with personal feedback and accountability, or let a teacher guide you through the entire programme.
20 weeks. Four clear milestones.
Choose a stage to explore its lessons, or view the entire course. The syllabus shows the full teacher-led pathway; supported self-paced includes three one-to-one reviews at the outline, first draft and final draft.
| Lesson | What you learn | Student deliverable · what you complete |
|---|---|---|
| STAGE 1Voice & craft5 lessons · Reading journal & craft portfolio | ||
| 01 | The Writer, the Reader and the AwardAssess writing interests; check grade, category, sponsor and independent-authorship requirements. | Writing diagnostic, notebook and eligibility plan |
| 02 | Reading for Voice and PerspectiveStudy how literary choices shape what a reader notices, feels and understands. | Two close-reading analyses and a voice exercise |
| 03 | Specificity, Image and LanguagePractise concrete detail, image, sound and precise language appropriate to the chosen genre. | Two original craft exercises with reflection |
| 04 | Form, Tension and MovementExplore scene and structure in prose, or line, stanza and turns in poetry. | A genre-specific form experiment |
| 05 | Choosing a Creative CategoryCompare the student's fiction, nonfiction or poetry interests and review early work. | Category choice, foundation portfolio and Stage 1 report |
| STAGE 2Original material5 lessons · Project plan & exploratory drafts | ||
| 06 | Gathering Original MaterialDevelop ideas from the student's observations, memories, reading and imaginative exploration. | Student-authored idea notebook and two project options |
| 07 | Perspective and Central TensionChoose narrator or speaker and define the tension, question or emotional movement. | Project brief and perspective experiment |
| 08 | Designing the WorkPlan scenes, reflective movement or a poem sequence without imposing an essay formula. | Story, essay or poetry structure plan |
| 09 | Exploratory DraftingTest openings and key passages; check factual responsibilities in creative nonfiction. | Two exploratory passages or poem drafts |
| 10 | Project Workshop & CommitmentDiscuss human-reader responses and select the project with the strongest potential. | Confirmed project plan and Stage 2 progress reportSELF-PACED 1:1 · OUTLINE |
| STAGE 3Draft & workshop5 lessons · Full draft & human feedback | ||
| 11 | Drafting the Opening MovementEstablish voice and stakes in prose, or the opening image and movement in poetry. | Opening prose section or first complete poem |
| 12 | Developing the CentreSustain scene, reflection or imagery; manage pacing, contrast and complexity. | Middle sections or developing poem sequence |
| 13 | Earning the EndingDevelop an ending or poetic turn that grows from the work and avoids explanation overload. | Ending draft and complete work in progress |
| 14 | Completing the First DraftAssemble the selected prose work or 1-3-poem entry and assess its intended reader effect. | Complete first draft and writer self-reflectionSELF-PACED 1:1 · FIRST DRAFT |
| 15 | Human Workshop I: Structure and EffectReceive tutor feedback on coherence, tension and what the work actually communicates. | Written human feedback, revision plan and Stage 3 reportLIVE ZOOM · WRITTEN FULL REVIEW |
| STAGE 4Revise & prepare5 lessons · Final entry & revision portfolio | ||
| 16 | Substantive RevisionRebuild weak scenes, reflective sections or poem order while preserving the student's voice. | Revised full work and change log |
| 17 | Human Workshop II: Voice and DepthExamine perspective, emotional complexity and language choices with a human reader. | Second written feedback report and revised manuscriptLIVE ZOOM · WRITTEN FULL REVIEW |
| 18 | Line Editing and Reading AloudThe student revises rhythm, diction, syntax and unnecessary words, then proofreads aloud. | Student-edited manuscript and read-aloud notes |
| 19 | Human Review III: Final QualityCheck the selected category, accuracy where relevant, text count and sponsor readiness. | Third written review and final candidateLIVE ZOOM · WRITTEN FULL REVIEW |
| 20 | Final Reading & Submission PreparationComplete student corrections; confirm sponsor approval, account route and required materials. | Final creative entry, sponsor checklist and Stage 4 reportSELF-PACED 1:1 · FINAL DRAFT |
Every lesson ends with work you can show. Complete the task and reading summary. Get a progress report at each stage.
Choose your support →Why prepare with ACE Achievers?
Learn to read critically, ask sharper questions and explain a defensible argument.
Four stages, four concrete outputs. See what you need to finish before taking the next step.
Lesson tasks and reading summaries are checked, with personal feedback at the key moments.
Build skills in a deliberate sequence, from reading for craft to refining a complete creative work.
Start from November 2026
Choose the rhythm that works for you. Keep the same ambitious target.
| Your course | When & how | Teacher support | Course fee | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supported self-paced20 online lessons | Study at your paceAccess arrangements confirmed at enrolment | 3 one-to-one reviewsPlus lesson-task and reading-summary checks | A$798 | Choose self-paced |
| Teacher-led Zoom4 students per group | November 2026 intake20 × 90 minutes · 20 weeks | Guidance throughoutLive teaching, discussion and manuscript feedback | A$1,998 | Join November |
Zoom session dates, times and time zone will be confirmed with your group. Independent study: 4–6 hours a week; 6–8 during manuscript revision.
Choose one category: a story or nonfiction piece, or 1–3 poems. The strict total is 1,500 words including titles and other submitted text. A sponsoring teacher must approve the entry. Grade 12 entrants must first apply to Bennington.
Human-led coaching only. Bennington prohibits AI for brainstorming, drafting or revision. Students generate the ideas, write every line and make their own edits.
The current published window is 1 September–1 November, closing at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. A November course start prepares for a future cycle, not the imminent 2026 deadline. Recheck the 2027 rules when released.
Official rules & entry information ↗Information checked 5 October 2026. Use the new cycle’s confirmed rules for your final entry.
Before you begin
20 lessons, guided reading, human checks of lesson tasks and reading summaries, and three one-to-one teacher feedback sessions at the outline, first draft and final draft. A$798.
Four students, 20 weekly sessions of 90 minutes, teacher guidance throughout, three written full-work reviews and four stage progress reports. A$1,998. Starts from November 2026; exact group dates and times are confirmed before payment.
An original creative entry, reading and craft portfolio, revision record and sponsor checklist.
4–6 hours a week; 6–8 during manuscript revision.
The current published window is 1 September–1 November, closing at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. A November course start prepares for a future cycle, not the imminent 2026 deadline. Recheck the 2027 rules when released.
Human-led coaching only. Bennington prohibits AI for brainstorming, drafting or revision. Students generate the ideas, write every line and make their own edits.
We discuss readiness and confirm the teaching arrangements before payment. Course fees cover ACE teaching and support. Any organiser charges are separate. Awards and university admission decisions remain with the relevant institutions.
A bigger goal starts here
Choose your course. Bring your curiosity.
Start building work you can be proud of.
Request enrolment now. We’ll confirm arrangements before payment.
ACE Achievers is an independent education provider. Students complete their own research and writing. Organiser names and imagery identify the competition. ACE Achievers is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organiser.
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