Summer of Stories 2020

Everyone has a story to tell.

We want to hear yours.

WELCOME TO A SUMMER OF STORIES!  A time for kids ages 7-13 to sharpen and share their imaginations, after a tough semester on lock-down.  Young authors from schools, summer camps, and religious education programs that Catholic Extension Society supports are invited to participate. 

Now through Friday, June 26th, students can submit their best original stories or poems.  These can be stories of faith & family, adventure and imagination, or funny and amusing narratives.  

Your Story Narrated, Illustrated, Made into a Video and Shared!

In July, Catholic Extension Society will select stories submitted to us from around the country for narration, illustration, video production and sharing with our online audience of more 100,000!

Why is Catholic Extension Society doing this? 

Attracting aspiring literary talent is part of Catholic Extension Society’s tradition!  The most notable example is the late, best-selling author Mary Higgins Clark whose first published short story appeared in Extension Magazine in March 1958.  In honor of Mary Higgins Clark’s passing earlier this year, we wish to commemorate her life and distinguished 100-million-novel-career, which all began with one story submitted to Catholic Extension Society!

This past Spring was one of the toughest semesters in recent memory for kids around the country, and we want to offer a practical way to stimulate young minds this summer.  

We hope to use this as an opportunity to spotlight the creative children of your schools and dioceses, and affirm their gifts and bright minds.   

Writing is storytelling. No matter how you slice it, you’re saying ‘Once upon a time.’ That’s what writing is all about.

Mary Higgins Clark