Teen Book Project & Teen Editorial Board

Lake Erie Ink’s Teen Book project, now entering its ninth year, publishes artistic work from teens across Northeast Ohio. The project is designed and run by a team of 8-10 teen editors who oversee every step of the project, from initially choosing the theme to editing and formatting the book. The final result is a professionally bound anthology, published in the spring, featuring youth voices in a variety of genres. Submissions are open to youth in grades 6-12 in any genre of writing or art: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, photography, painting, and more.

Scroll down to check out current & past anthologies!

Want to be an editor?

Interest Meeting for the 2025-2026 Teen Editorial Board

August 26th | 6:30-8pm

Virtual Zoom Meeting

Contact [email protected] or (216) 320-4757 to get more information and the link for the meetings.



Want to Submit?

The Rules:

  1. The teen book project is open to grades 6-12 throughout Northeast Ohio.

2. All genres of writing and art are accepted, including: fiction and flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, paintings, drawings, photography, etc.

3. All pieces must respond to the theme.

4. Contributors may submit up to 3 pieces in total.

5. Work that is partially or completely produced by artificial intelligence (AI) tools will not be accepted for publication as original work.

We offer our deepest gratitude to our young professional board, Fresh Ink, for sponsoring this program. Fresh Ink is a group of young professionals who raise funds and friends in support of Lake Erie Ink’s mission. This program is also made possible with the support of the Ohio Arts Council, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, and the Cyrus Eaton Foundation.




Past Anthologies:



LEI’s ninth teen anthology is Hide & Seek. This anthology features over fifty teen writers from across Northeast Ohio, as well as a section of poems by Writers in Residence and a forward by Quartez Harris. You can find a copy at a local independent bookstore or buy one directly from Lake Erie Ink’s online store.

LEI’s eighth teen anthology is Some Thing To Say. This anthology features over eighty teen writers from across Northeast Ohio, as well as a section of poems by Writers in Residence and a forward by Siaara Freeman, poet laureate for Cleveland Heights and University Heights. You can view the full anthology by clicking here, or purchase a copy from Lake Erie Ink’s online store.

LEI’S seventh teen anthology, Keys & Locks. This anthology features over a hundred teen writers from across Northeast Ohio, as well as a section of poems by Writers in Residence, and a forward by Felton Thomas, Jr., director of the Cleveland Public Library. You can view the full anthology by clicking here.

LEI’s sixth teen anthology, Blur. Purchase your copy at local independent bookstores around town or contact us directly at [email protected] or 216-320-4757.

LEI’s fifth teen anthology, On The Other Side. The book features a large collection of NEO teen work and a forward by Honey Bell-Bey. View the full anthology by clicking here. You can also purchase your copy at local independent bookstores around town or contact us directly at [email protected] or 216-320-4757.

LEI’s fourth book, The Fundamental Elements. View the full anthology by clicking here. You can purchase your copy at local independent bookstores around town or contact us directly at [email protected] or 216-320-4757.

LEI’s third book. You can purchase your copy at local independent bookstores around town or contact us directly at [email protected] or 216-320-4757.

LEI’s second book features writing from more than 65 NE Ohio teens and includes a forward by acclaimed author Paula McClain. You can purchase your copy at local independent bookstores around town or contact us directly at [email protected] or 216-320-4757.

LEI’s first book featured writing from 48 teens. You can purchase your copy at local independent bookstores around town or contact us directly at [email protected] or 216-320-4757.