Submission deadline: October 31, 2026
The library is seeking submissions for its Ink & Index Zine, an issue of the CCPL Teen Zine with a focus on how business connects to the world around us. We encourage teens to submit written and visual works of art inspired by topics such as financial literacy, public health, ethics, community impact, and consumer awareness.
This zine is part of the library's student-led programming initiative.
How do I participate?
All teens in the Carmel community are welcome to participate in the Ink & Index Zine. We will be accepting submissions from August 1, 2026, through October 31, 2026. Selected works will be compiled into a digital zine at the end of the submission period.
Guidelines
- Each submission must be inspired by the theme of how business connects with the world around us. Submissions may include opinion pieces, informational pieces, short essays, artwork, graphics, or infographics. This opportunity allows teens to express their ideas, think critically about real-world issues, and be part of a creative teen community while contributing to a digital library publication.
- All submissions must be original works and cannot contain AI-generated content.
- Submissions cannot contain offensive language or images and must adhere to the library's Standards of Conduct.
- For each submission received, teens can receive 3 hours of community service. If you would like to receive volunteer credit, please make sure you are a member of the library’s Teen Volunteer Corps so that we can record your community service hours.
- There is a limit of 3 submissions per student.
- Please submit your work as a JPG (1–2 MB) by photographing or scanning the original work. Written works can be submitted as a Microsoft Word document or PDF. Email your submissions, along with your first and last name, to youngadult@carmelclaylibrary.org. Additionally, please include 2–3 sentences describing your piece and a title if necessary.
- Your piece may appear on our social media sites. If you do not wish your submission to be published, please specify this in your email.
Questions about this project? Contact youngadult@carmeclaylibrary.org
Creativity Prompts
- Write instructions for a machine that makes art. Does it have taste? Does it care?
- Make something creative using only a spreadsheet, graphing calculator, or data.
- Design a product made by kids, for adults. What does it do that adults can't figure out themselves?
- What would your neighborhood look like if teens ran it for one year?
- Interview a local business owner (real or fictional) about why they give back. Or why they don't.
- Write a letter from your 8-year-old self to a CEO.
- Describe a world where money doesn't exist, and what would replace it?
- Write a poem about a specific statistic on any topic.
- Create a fake ad that critiques a real issue.
- Draw or write about an idea that could help solve a real world issue.
