Apprentice Writer: A Complete Guide

If you’re a high school student with a passion for creative writing, Apprentice Writer offers a rare opportunity to be published before college. Run by Susquehanna University’s Writers Institute, this annual literary magazine showcases poetry, fiction, nonfiction, photography, and art by talented teens across the United States.

In this blog, we’ll share tips on how to submit, what editors look for, and why being published here can give your college applications a boost.

• What Is Apprentice Writer?
• Apprentice Writer Acceptance Rate
• Apprentice Writer Submission Guidelines
• How to Get Published in Apprentice Writer
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is Apprentice Writer?

Apprentice Writer is a peer‑reviewed literary magazine for secondary‑school writers. Produced by college‑level student editors at Susquehanna University, the journal selects and publishes poetry, fiction, nonfiction and photography submitted by high‑school students.

Apprentice Writer describes itself as a “publication for high school writing & visual arts” and notes that it “features the best writing and visual arts by high schoolers from around the world.” The journal’s move to an online format aimed to “connect our young writers and artists to our international community,” while still offering limited‑edition contributor copies.

Being selected for publication in Apprentice Writer signals that a high‑schooler’s work meets the standards of a university‑run editorial team. Because the journal is produced by Susquehanna University’s Creative Writing program and has existed for more than 40 years, it carries institutional credibility and a track record of quality.

This recognition can strengthen a student’s portfolio for college applications or scholarship competitions, demonstrating commitment to craft and the ability to communicate with an audience. Apprentice Writer’s global submission base also exposes contributors’ work to a broad readership, encouraging early professional networking.

What does Apprentice Writer publish?

Apprentice Writer publishes original creative work by high-school students in the U.S. and worldwide, including short stories/fiction, personal essays/creative nonfiction, poetry, and visual and photographic art. These pieces are selected by the student editorial team at Susquehanna University and then published in the journal’s annual edition (and archive online).

If you want to understand what kind of writing Apprentice Writer looks for, take a look at some of their recently published pieces:

• Fiction: “Ribs” by Michelle Li
• Nonfiction: “Fragments” by Naomi Hsu
• Poetry: “Redacted” by Claudia Wysocky

Apprentice Writer looks for pieces that demonstrate originality, strong craft, and a clear, authentic voice. Writing should be polished, emotionally resonant, and rich in imagery, often exploring themes like identity, growth, relationships, and self-discovery.

Visual submissions should be high-quality, thoughtfully composed, and conceptually engaging. While the journal accepts a wide range of subjects and styles, successful entries tend to reveal a distinct perspective and emotional depth that capture what it means to be young in today’s world.

Apprentice Writer Acceptance Rate

Apprentice Writer has an estimated acceptance rate of around 3%, making it a highly competitive publication for high school creatives. This low rate reflects the journal’s selectivity and commitment to publishing only the most polished, original, and emotionally resonant works from emerging writers and artists.

Apprentice Writer Submission Guidelines

Before you submit your work to Apprentice Writer, it’s important to understand what the editors are looking for. The journal welcomes original fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and visual art from high school students, but only pieces that follow the official guidelines and reflect strong craftsmanship make it to publication.

Here’s a quick overview of what to prepare and how to submit your best work:

Authorship

Eligibility is open to high-school students only; authors must be individual student creators unless otherwise noted. The journal accepts original work from high-school writers worldwide.

Simultaneous submissions are permitted, with the expectation that authors withdraw their entry if it is accepted elsewhere.

Formatting

You may submit up to five entries per genre (poetry, fiction/nonfiction, or photography/art). All written submissions (fiction, nonfiction, and poetry) must:

• Use Times New Roman, 12 pt, single-spaced.
• Include a cover page with the author’s name, email, and title of work.
• Be submitted as DOC, DOCX, or PDF files.
• Follow this file-naming format: Last Name, First Initial (Genre), Title. Example: Russell, K. (Fiction), Haunting Olivia

Visual submissions (photography or art) must be image files.

In particular, these are the fiction and nonfiction submission guidelines:

• Single-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt.
• Include a cover page (name, email, title).
• One story or personal essay per file.
• Fiction and nonfiction count as one genre. You may submit up to five total pieces (e.g., 3 fiction + 2 nonfiction).

For poetry submissions:

• Single-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt.
• Include a cover page (name, email, title).
• One poem per file.
• Use the same file-naming format as above.
• You may submit up to five poems in total.

For photography and art submissions:

• Minimum resolution: 300 px.
• Works may be in color or black and white; all visual art mediums are accepted.
• One image or artwork per file.
• Use the same file-naming format as above.
• Photography and art count as one genre. You may submit up to five total pieces (e.g., 2 photos + 3 digital artworks).

Deadline

The submission window opens annually, specifically during October-February. Turn-around may range from several months. Applicants should allow 6 months for decisions or revision requests.

How to submit

To submit your work to Apprentice Writer, simply use their official online submission form, available directly on their website. Email submissions aren’t accepted, so all entries must go through the official form to be considered.

Fees

There is no reading or submission fee to submit to Apprentice Writer. Although contributors are not paid, accepted authors receive contributor copies, public recognition, and eligibility for annual awards. Each year, winners in the fiction, nonfiction, and poetry categories collectively receive over $1,000 in prizes.

How to Get Published in Apprentice Writer

As one of the most competitive platforms for emerging high school writers, Apprentice Writer values strong voice, polished craft, and work that aligns with its creative vision. Here’s what you need to know to increase your chances of being published:

1. Study the journal.

Understand the journal’s identity so your piece belongs there. Note that the magazine is produced by student editors in Susquehanna University’s Creative Writing program and explicitly positions itself as “A Publication for High School Writing & Visual Arts.” This is your bar.

For example, Michelle So’s “geometry of a paper girl” is a strong fit for Apprentice Writer because it embodies the journal’s core values: emotional honesty, intellectual depth, and inventive form.

The poem uses origami and geometry as metaphors for self-construction, integrating science, myth, and pain into a powerful meditation on identity. Its fragmented structure and sharp imagery reflect a young writer experimenting boldly with form and voice.

So’s vivid language—mixing the clinical with the intimate—shows remarkable maturity: “chloride ions nipped / the wet pain away” captures both vulnerability and control. The poem’s allusions to Euclid, Archimedes, and DNA elevate personal struggle into something universal, while the closing line, “and in becoming your daughter / i was freed,” delivers a moment of transformation that feels both earned and cathartic.

So, before sending your work, explore past issues of Apprentice Writer. Notice what kinds of pieces catch your attention: their tone, themes, and emotional depth. The journal values fresh perspectives that feel personal yet universal. Aim for that balance: something distinctly yours that still speaks to others.

2. Choose the right genre.

Before you send your piece out, the most critical step is to ensure its form and content are in perfect alignment with the expectations of your chosen medium.

For fiction, aim for a focused narrative arc, vivid scenes, and meaningful stakes. For example, instead of summarizing a character’s heartbreak, show it through a single, concrete moment like their hesitation to delete an old voicemail.

For poetry, prioritize compression, imagery, and rhythm. Cut unnecessary words and let sound and image carry emotion, as in a poem that contrasts the hiss of a kettle with the silence after an argument.

For nonfiction, establish a credible narrator and handle facts and real people with care. Verify details, and when writing about others, reflect on your relationship to them and the ethics of what you share.

For visual arts and photography, submit images that communicate an artistic argument (composition, light, sequence), not just technical proficiency. The strongest pieces demonstrate a strong thesis, angle, or voice.

3. Revise like an editor.

This is where you must shift from the creative writer to the critical editor. For fiction, this means trimming every scene that doesn’t propel the narrative forward and sharpening dialogue until it reveals character. For poetry, listen to the innate rhythm of your lines, breaking where the breath demands and cutting any syllable that doesn’t pull its emotional weight.

But your own critical eye can only take you so far. This is where trusted readers—a sharp-eyed beta reader, a knowledgeable teacher, or a dedicated writing group—become invaluable. They can pinpoint where the pace flags, where an image confuses rather than clarifies, or where the emotional throughline snaps.

Learn to solicit this feedback with genuine openness and then sift through it with discernment, using the insights that resonate to strengthen your piece’s core argument and emotional impact.

4. Present your work professionally.

Great writing deserves great presentation. Follow the submission guidelines carefully: submit through the official online form, name your files properly, and respect the limits (up to five entries per genre). Apprentice Writer allows simultaneous submissions, but let them know if your piece is accepted elsewhere. These small steps show care and respect for the editorial process.

5. Embrace the process.

Submitting is part of growing as a writer or artist. Take your time, polish your work, and treat feedback or rejection as fuel for growth. Whether or not you’re published, the effort you put into refining your voice will always pay off.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What works are featured in Apprentice Writer?

Apprentice Writer publishes creative works by high‐school students, specifically fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and visual arts/photography. Its mission is to highlight “the best writing and visual arts by high schoolers.” 

Although the journal does not list editorial priorities, the types of work selected tend to reflect strong voice, inventive structure, emotional depth, identity and self-discovery themes, and polished craft. Your topic can be broad, as long as the work exhibits literary excellence.

2. How long should a creative work be for Apprentice Writer?

Apprentice Writer does not provide a precise word-count or page-count range for each genre. However, you may submit up to five entries per genre category (poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, photography) and may submit across genres.

3. Can international students submit to Apprentice Writer?

Yes. The journal states that it features high-school writing and visual arts “by high schoolers from around the world.” Thus, international high-school students are eligible to submit.

4. Does Apprentice Writer charge fees or provide compensation to authors?

There’s no submission fee and no payment. However, all accepted authors receive public recognition and eligibility for annual awards.

5. Does Apprentice Writer accept simultaneous submissions?

Yes, Apprentice Writer does allow simultaneous submissions. If your piece is accepted elsewhere, they ask that you promptly notify them of the change in status.

Takeaways

• As one of the most respected creative outlets for high school students, Apprentice Writer celebrates originality, craft, and emotional truth. For any student serious about writing, being published on Apprentice Writer is an achievement.
• Whether you write poetry that captures the raw texture of growing up, fiction that experiments with form, or essays that reflect deep introspection, the key is to create something that feels alive on the page.
• By studying past winners, following submission guidelines closely, and refining your voice with intention, you’ll be aligning your work with Apprentice Writer’s high standards.
• Being published on Apprentice Writer is a good addition to your college application. Our personalized coaching program helps students maximize their experiences and extracurriculars to stand out during the admissions process.