# Young Writers & Leaders

Free nine-month afterschool literary arts program in Portland, ME, for 26 high schoolers with international and multicultural backgrounds: workshops, mentorship, and professional publication through The Telling Room.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | The Telling Room |
| Category | arts |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Portland, ME |
| Apply | https://www.tellingroom.org/programs/young-writers-amp-leaders-ywl |

## About this program

# Young Writers & Leaders

Young Writers & Leaders (YWL) is the flagship afterschool program of The Telling Room, the Portland, Maine youth writing center known for publishing professional-quality books of student work. YWL is a free, nine-month literary arts education program exclusively for high school students with international and multicultural backgrounds, selecting 26 students a year through a competitive application and interview process.

## What You'll Do

- Meet weekly after school through the academic year at The Telling Room's downtown Portland writing center
- Develop personal narratives, poetry, and essays with professional writers, mentors, and editors
- Revise toward real publication - Telling Room student work appears in professionally designed anthologies and books
- Build public speaking and leadership skills, sharing your work at readings and community events

## Who Should Apply

Maine residents in grades 9-12 who were born internationally or are the first generation of their family born in the US. Applications and interview sessions are conducted each September at Portland, Deering, Casco Bay, Westbrook, and South Portland high schools; applications for the 2026-27 year become available in September 2026.

## Outcomes

YWL alumni graduate with published writing, a nine-month mentorship with professional writers, and a leadership credential recognized across Maine's college-access community. For multilingual students, the program is also a sustained, supportive space to claim English-language storytelling on their own terms.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Young Writers & Leaders cost?

Young Writers & Leaders is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for Young Writers & Leaders?

Young Writers & Leaders is open to high school students in grades 9–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Young Writers & Leaders online or in person?

Young Writers & Leaders is an in-person program based in Portland, ME.

### How do I apply to Young Writers & Leaders?

Apply directly through The Telling Room's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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