12th Grade Creative Writing — Senior Portfolio — A Legacy of Words
Sharing Your Words with the World as an Act of Stewardship
Many talented young writers never share their work beyond the classroom. They write beautiful stories, insightful essays, and moving poems — and then file them away in folders that no one else will ever open. While not every piece of writing needs to be published, the Christian writer should feel a pull toward sharing their gifts with the world.
Madeleine L'Engle, author of A Wrinkle in Time and one of the most beloved Christian writers of the twentieth century, wrote that 'the artist who is a Christian... is required to be in some way a servant.' Your writing ability is a gift from God, and gifts are meant to be given away. Publishing — whether in a school journal, a literary magazine, or an online platform — is one way to exercise stewardship of your creative talent.
The world of publishing has never been more accessible. In addition to traditional book publishers and print literary magazines, there are now thousands of online literary journals, writing contests, blogs, and self-publishing platforms. Many of these welcome submissions from young writers and offer excellent opportunities to get your work into the world.
Literary magazines publish short fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and essays. Many have specific themes or aesthetic preferences, so researching a magazine before submitting is essential. Writing contests — offered by schools, churches, community organizations, and national writing organizations — provide another avenue, often with prizes, publication, and recognition.
For Christian writers specifically, there are magazines, journals, and publishers dedicated to faith-based literature. These outlets actively seek writing that engages with Christian themes, values, and perspectives. Knowing where your work fits in the publishing landscape helps you target your submissions effectively.
A professional submission requires more than good writing. Most publications have specific submission guidelines — formatting requirements, word count limits, genre preferences, and procedures. Read these guidelines carefully and follow them exactly. Editors receive hundreds or thousands of submissions and will often reject work that does not comply with their stated requirements.
Your submission should include a cover letter — a brief, professional introduction that includes your name, the title and genre of your work, a one-sentence description, and a short biographical note. Keep it concise and professional. Let your writing speak for itself.
Before submitting, ensure your piece has been thoroughly revised and proofread. First impressions matter, and errors signal to editors that a writer lacks professionalism. Have at least two trusted readers review your work before you send it out. Remember Colossians 3:23 — whatever you do, do it with excellence.
Rejection is a universal experience for writers. Even the most successful authors have faced repeated rejection. C.S. Lewis's The Pilgrim's Regress was rejected by multiple publishers. Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time was rejected twenty-six times before finding a publisher. J.K. Rowling, John Grisham, and countless other authors received stacks of rejection letters before their first books were accepted.
Rejection does not mean your writing is bad. It often means that a particular piece was not the right fit for a particular publication at a particular time. Sometimes it means the piece needs more revision. Sometimes it means nothing more than that the editors had more submissions than space. The key is to learn what you can from each rejection and keep submitting.
For the Christian writer, rejection is an opportunity to practice the virtues of perseverance, humility, and trust in God's timing. Your ultimate audience is not a literary editor but the Lord who gave you the gift of words. If He has called you to write, He will open doors in His time. Your job is to be faithful with what He has given you and to trust Him with the results.
Write thoughtful responses to the following questions. Use evidence from the lesson text, Scripture references, and primary sources to support your answers.
What holds you back from sharing your writing with a wider audience? How does the parable of the talents challenge the temptation to hide your gifts?
Guidance: Consider whether fear of rejection, perfectionism, or self-doubt is keeping you from sharing your work. Think about how the parable frames the refusal to use your gifts as a failure of stewardship rather than a sign of humility.
Research two literary magazines or writing contests that accept submissions from young writers. What are their submission guidelines, and which piece from your portfolio might be a good fit?
Guidance: Look for publications that align with your genres and themes. Pay attention to word count limits, formatting requirements, and submission deadlines. Consider both Christian and general-market publications.
How should a Christian writer handle rejection? What does it look like to persevere in writing while trusting God's timing and purposes?
Guidance: Think about the examples of Lewis, L'Engle, and other writers who faced rejection before success. Consider how faith in God's sovereignty can free you from defining your worth by publication outcomes while still motivating you to pursue excellence.