The Very Asian Foundation is currently accepting submissions for the inaugural 2025 May Book Project (MBP) Essay Contest, which centers on the theme of "Representation." The contest is open to Asian American students in grades 6 through 12 residing in the United States. This initiative, developed in partnership with We Need Diverse Books, aims to amplify Asian American voices in youth literature and beyond, encouraging young writers to reflect on the significance of representation in their lives.
Students may submit personal essays up to 650 words that explore the importance of diverse representation in literature, media, leadership, or community. The essay should highlight how representation has affected the student's identity, sense of belonging, cultural understanding, or connection to their heritage. Although there is no required prompt, students are invited to reflect on topics such as how certain characters or stories made them feel seen, or how representation can preserve culture for future generations. Submissions should be written in a personal, genuine tone and may include creative nonfiction elements.
To enter, students must submit a single essay in PDF format through the official submission form. The file must be less than 1MB in size. Each student is allowed only one submission. By submitting an essay, participants grant the Very Asian Foundation a non-exclusive license to publish the work online or in print without royalty payment, although proper credit will always be given.
There are two contest divisions: one for grades 6–8 and another for grades 9–12. Each division will have five winners: first place ($100 and a certificate), second place ($50 and a certificate), third place (certificate), and two honorable mentions (certificate of distinguishment). Winning essays will be featured on the Very Asian Foundation’s website and social media. The foundation also plans to publish a literary magazine showcasing winners’ essays and other selected entries, although this element is not yet confirmed.
The submission deadline is April 11, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Judging will be based on focus, relevance, creativity, impact, organization, and grammar. Results will be announced via email in the last week of April 2025. Students and educators seeking additional information can contact the program organizer at knguyen0300@gmail.com.
