Why We Publish Student Work

Campfire Tip #3: Writing is a Gift

Hopefully you’ve heard about Reveal by now, Blackbird & Company’s annual anthology of student work. But do you know why Reveal is so important? Why we talk about it every chance we get?

It comes down to confidence. We like to remind students that writing is a gift. When polished student writing is published, your students are giving a wonderful gift to readers. Being published is the hallmark of legitimacy in the field of writing. True. But more importantly, published writing is a courageous and generous offering—so how better to prove to your students that their voices matter than to publish their ideas? 

I’ve always found the link between intrinsic motivation (or motivation that comes from within) and self-confidence fascinating. They feed each other. The more intrinsically motivated a person is, the more satisfaction is gained from completing goals.  People with higher self-confidence are simply motivated to attempt tasks for the sake of accomplishing.  Work itself becomes meaningful.

These psychological principles translate directly to writing. The best way we can help our blackbirds gain confidence in writing is to help them become personally motivated. The best way we can help them become personally motivated is to build up their confidence by publishing the polished ideas they have brought to shape. 

As the editor of Reveal, I’ve seen firsthand the pride that swells within students’ chests when their work comes out in print, when they know that their voice has been chosen and has merit and value. Fostering this budding belief in oneself is one of the most important tasks we can take upon ourselves as educators—it just might be the fuel that keeps young writers writing. 

That’s why we publish Reveal. To show young writers what becomes possible when they spread their wings. 

Submitting work to Reveal 2026 is super easy. And, if you submit work accomplished via any of our materials now through March 31st, 2026, you will be automatically entered to win a Solo Stove S’Mores Bundle.

 

~Claire S.