Bad Writing Contest Winners 2026!

The Bulwer-Lytton Bad Writing Contest challenges students to write a terrible (but creative!) opening line for a novel. In addition, students could opt to write a bad poem. As we have had so many "bad" entries in the past years that would actually be fantastic opening lines, we added the category of "Accidentally Great" sentences. With nearly 200 entries, the faculty vote determined the winners!

The Bad Writing Hall of Shame 2026                                              

Bad Writing Contest Winner Tie—25 points
The pool tasted horrible today.  —Olivia Y., 6th, Green

The dark room darkened and darkened until it was dark. —Arian, 6th, Gold
 

Second Place—20 points
Now that I think back on it…maybe I shouldn’t have tried to get out of homework by bribing the teacher with 
five chihuahuas.          —Evie K. 6th, Green
 

Third Place Tie—15 points
Ever since I lost my sight, things have gotten a lot darker for me.  —Sana R., 7th, Gold

Today, I am masquerading as a human; for breakfast, I had the offerings of a cow, a cut-out of brutally deleted pig in a cylindrical shape, and the fermented version of the cows offerings with blue spheres on top – lovely!    —Serena Q., 8th, Green

Accidentally Great Sentence Winners Tie: 25 points
It’s the end of the world, and I forgot to turn off the stove.        —Ethan H., 7th, Gold

I don’t know about the sky, but my brother’s sense of humor was my limit.  —Florence, 8th, Green 

~*~*~*~

Green/Gold Points: Green: 301, Gold: 231