World Handwriting Contest
Entries (handwritten in your handwriting) must go to the International Headquarters of the World Handwriting Contest (address below), EXCEPT FOR ENTRIES FROM ANY COUNTRY WHICH IS LISTED BELOW AS HAVING ITS OWN NATIONAL AFFILIATE OF THE WORLD HANDWRITING CONTEST. Entries from any such country (those listed below the international headquarters address) must be sent to the national affiliate in that country. The national affiliate address for any country with a national affiliate of the World Handwriting Contest is listed directly below the name of the country. Entries are accepted from January 1 until June 30.
Due to the coronavirus crisis (COVID 19), we will be accepting entries by email for the 2023 contest January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 The e-mail should go to the email address of the National Affiliate for the contest, if there is one for your country. If your country does not have a National Affiliate with an email address listed, send it to entryhandwriting@gmail.com .
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS of the WORLD HANDWRITING CONTEST
HANDWRITING FOR HUMANITY
World Handwriting Contest
c/o Kate Gladstone - Handwriting Repair
165 North Allen Street
First Floor
Albany, New York 12206
United States of America
Phone number (518) 482-6763
Narendramoorthi Madanagopal: another Lifetime Triple Crown Winner of the World Handwriting Contest, and the son of Thiruvengadam Madanagopal (above) -- also committed to annually contributing, each year, a pen set for the World Pen-Champ (the best of all winners in a given year).
Handwriting for Humanity
MISSION STATEMENT
It shall be the purpose of Handwriting For Humanity to foster the study and use of handwritten communications.
The organization shall carry out this purpose through activities such as:
CREED:
HANDWRITING: that action of emotion, of thought, and of decision that has recorded the history of mankind, revealed the genius of invention, and disclosed the inmost depths of the soulful heart. It gives ideas tangible form through letters, pictographs, symbols, and signs. Handwriting forges a bond across millennia and generations that not only ties us to the thoughts and deeds of our forebears, but also serves as an irrevocable link to our humanity. Neither machines nor technology can replace or equal the contribution or continuing importance of this inexpensive portable skill. Necessary in every age, handwriting remains just as vital to the enduring saga of civilization as our next breath.
MOTTO:
EVERY HUMAN HAS THE RIGHT TO WRITE WELL.
Kate Gladstone, director-in-chief
the late John Schmits Glen Bowen HANDWRITING FOR HUMANITY
World Handwriting Contest
c/o
Kate Gladstone -
The "BESSIE'S PEACE" Fund established by Thomas Hutson of Consultimate
and ...
an anonymous donor
Corporate Address:
Handwriting Repair
165 North Allen Street
Albany, New York 12208-1942
United States of America
To those interested in handwriting - Welcome!
click here for printer-friendly version of rules to print and share with others
WHEN DOES THE CONTEST BEGIN AND END?
The World Handwriting Contest accepts entries each year from January 1 until June 30. To qualify for prizes in a given year, an entry must arrive on or before July 7 of that year and post marked before June 30 or emailed by July 30..
The Contest judges and director will select winners each year, beginning in July and continuing if necessary through September.
Prize-winners' names and writing-samples typically appear on this web-page as soon as possible after the judging - in other words, July or August when possible (but, if necessary, beginning in September or October) and remain on display here for a full year (until after the judging of the next year's contest), after which the new prize-winners' names and writing-samples will replace them.
WHC distributes prizes to the contest-winners each year, distributing all prizes by December.
Mail your entry as early as possible. Postal systems can take several days or weeks to deliver an envelope, particularly when the mail must travel between countries. You may enter We cannot accept any facsimile (fax) submissions. Entries may be submitted by e-mail as provided above.PLEASE NOTE: We ask each writer to submit only one entry each year. An individual who has written more than one entry must select only one entry to send. In order to avoid overwork for our judges, beginning in 2008 the World Handwriting Contest will disqualify writers who send more than one entry.
WHO MAY ENTER ?
Anyone in the world, of any age, may enter the World Handwriting Contest.Our team of judges will evaluate your entry within ONE of the following age groups.
1. Children (age 7 and under)
2. Pre-Teens (ages 8 through 12)
3. Teens (ages 13 through 19)
4. Adults (ages 20 through 64)
5. Seniors (age 65 and over)Within each age group, the judges will sort submissions into two categories of handwriting:
WHC will award first and second prizes in each of these categories and subcategories.
PLEASE NOTE: the judges - not the contest entrants - determine the category and subcategory in which each entry belongs.
Use either lined or unlined paper, 8 1/2 x 11 inches or A4 size.
Use any of the following writing instruments: ballpoint pen, fountain pen, felt/fiber tip marker, or calligraphy pen/brush. (Use the same writing instrument throughout the entry). Because we scan winning entries for display, please use only black ink and white or light-colored paper (plain or lined) with no pre-printed pictures or decorations.
The written quote must fit on the front side of ONE sheet of paper. Allow at least a 1/2-inch margin on all sides of the quote.
On the backside of your entry (not on the front), or in the text of the email to which a scan of an entry is attached write in English
- your full name,
- your full address,
- your age on July 1 of the year in which you enter,
- your phone number,
- your e-mail address (if any).
Please do not use a separate piece of paper for this information, and please do not write this information on the front of the entry. The back of each entry must contain that entry's own identifying information.) NOTE: The name and address must be as legible as the entry
Students: Please give the school's name and address (phone number and e-mail address if available) along with your own name and address, your school to receive notification of your winning. All personal information will remain confidential. The World Handwriting Contest will use student information only to notify winners and, in an aggregate manner, for research purposes.
You do not have to send your first attempt; in fact, we expect that you will not send your first attempt. Remember that the allotted time runs from January 1st through June 30th, so take all the time you need to practice and send your best effort.
DO NOT cross out or make erasures. Do NOT send "rough drafts." If you make a mistake, start over: do NOT erase, cross out, "white out," or cover up your errors. Visible erasures/cross-outs/cover-ups/"whiting out" will count more heavily against your work than the original errors themselves.
Contest judges will evaluate entries based on each entry's demonstrated
LEGIBILITY (how easily we can read the writing),
FLUENCY (the smoothness, grace, and flow of the writing),
and
COMPETENCE (choice of layout and margins; spacing between letters, words, and lines; consistency of letter size and forms; accuracy of the quote; neatness and general appearance; spelling; and whether the entrant strove to follow the letter and spirit of the Contest rules). While spelling is used to evaluate competence; misspelling the first word in the quote and the name of the author of the quote will disqualify the entry.
All entries become the property of the Contest. The World Handwriting Contest will not return submitted entries.
(Please note: until the first day of judging ( all material marked "World Handwriting Contest" or "Handwriting For Humanity" will remain unopened. If you have general inquiries about the contest and need a response before the judging begins, do not put the words "Handwriting for Humanity/World Handwriting Contest" onto the envelope.)
Do NOT mail or email your entries before January 1. We cannot accept entries with postmark-dates from the previous year.
FOR CHILDREN THROUGH AGE 12
HANDWRITING: that action of emotion, of thought, and of decision that has recorded the history of mankind, revealed the genius of invention, and disclosed the inmost depths of the heart. Handwriting ties us to the thoughts and deeds of our forebears and serves as an irrevocable link to our humanity. No machine or technology can replace the contribution or continuing importance of this skill. It has been necessary in every age and is just as vital to civilization as our next breath.
-Michael R. Sull-
FOR AGES 13 AND OVER
HANDWRITING: that action of emotion, of thought, and of decision that has recorded the history of mankind, revealed the genius of invention, and disclosed the inmost depths of the soulful heart. It gives ideas tangible form through written letters, pictographs, symbols, and signs. Handwriting forms a bond across millennia and generations that not only ties us to the thoughts and deeds of our forebears, but also serves as an irrevocable link to our humanity. Neither machines nor technology can replace the contribution or continuing importance of this inexpensive portable skill. Necessary in every age, handwriting remains just as vital to the enduring saga of civilization as our next breath.
-Michael R. Sull-
WHERE DO I MAIL MY ENTRY ?
All entries (handwritten copy-quotes in your handwriting) must go to the headquarters of the World Handwriting Contest (address below), EXCEPT FOR ENTRIES FROM ANY COUNTRY WHICH IS LISTED AS HAVING ITS OWN NATIONAL AFFILIATE OF THE WORLD HANDWRITING CONTEST. Entries from any such country (listed below the international headquarters address) must be sent to the national affiliate in that country. The national affiliate address for any country with a national affiliate of the World Handwriting Contest is listed directly below the name of the country
y.
WHERE CAN I EMAIL A SCAN OF MY ENTRY ?Entries may also be submitted scans (at 600 bpi or greater) of a handwritten copy-quotes in your handwriting emailed as an attachment to the email address of the National Affiliate for the contest if there is one for your country otherwise the the email should be sent to the address entryhandwriting@gmail.com . Only one entry may be sent with an email, if more than one entry is sent in an email all the entries in the email will be rejected.. The email must have the information required to be on the back of a handwritten entry in the text of the email. The email should have the word entry in its title. The attachment should be in the form of GIF, JPG, or PNG file.
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS of the WORLD HANDWRITING CONTEST
HANDWRITING FOR HUMANITY
World Handwriting Contest
c/o Kate Gladstone - Handwriting Repair
165 North Allen Street
First Floor
Albany, New York 12206
United States of America
Phone number (518) 482-6763
BANGLADESH
Ziaur Rahman
Organizing Secretary
Handwriting Association of Bangladesh
World Handwriting Contest
House No. 37, Road No.19, Sector No. 14
Uttara Model Town, Post Code-1230, Dhaka Bangladesh
E-mail: ziaur.whc@gmail.com
Phone: +88 01707888842
World Handwriting Contest
EAST AFRICA FEDERATION
Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Tanzania,
Kenya,
Burundi,
Rwanda,
South Sudan,
Uganda.
World Handwriting Contest
Joseph K. Huruma
P.O. Box 13508
Arusha, Tanzania
Phone No. : +255 62 403 1451
E-mail: josephhuruma@gmail.com
NEPAL
World Handwriting Contest
Glocal Pvt. Ltd.
Ekantakuna Road
Bhanimandal, Lalitpur
Bhagmati 44700
Nepal
E-mail: info@glocalnepal.com
NIGERIA
World Handwriting Contest
Marcus Taiwo Adedara
Department of Tourism and Event Management
College Social and Management Science
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
PMB 4554 Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
Phone No. : +238033522473
PAKISTAN
World Handwriting Contest
Glocal Pvt. Ltd.
E-mail: glocalpvtltd@gmail.com
QATAR
World Handwriting Contest
Glocal Pvt. Ltd.
E-mail: glocalpvtltd@gmail.com
SRI LANKA
World Handwriting Contest
Glocal Pvt. Ltd.
E-mail: glocalpvtltd@gmail.com
UAE
World Handwriting Contest
Glocal Pvt. Ltd.
E-mail: glocalpvtltd@gmail.com
In 2022 the Bangladesh National Director awarded trophies to the winner of the World Handwriting Contest from that country.
OUR REIGNING PEN-CHAMP!
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This year's World PEN-Champ is Janie Lin, the winner in our contest for age 9 through 12 Artistic Handwriting.
In the Contest's World Champ-PEN-Ship round each year, we compare first-prize entries in the World Handwriting Contest with first-prize entries in one or more other handwriting contests that have asked to take part in the World Champ-PEN-Ship.
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second place:
Gopala Rao Sreekanta, MDWasall , UK |
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CLICK HERE to see this writer's prize-winning sample |
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CLICK HERE to see this writer's prize-winning sample |
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first place:
Shyamsundar LatkarPune, India |
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Laxman Nago Bawankule
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In 2019, Laxman Nago Bawankule won first place for Artistic Handwriting (age 20-64), and was also declared the World Pen-Champ (the best handwriter of the year).. In 2021, he again won first place for Artistic Handwriting (age 20-64). With his third victory in 2022, he is now a Lifetime Triple Crown Winner.
Of special note:
/1/ During this year's judging, one of the judges was so amazed by the regular rhythm and formation of his handwriting (along with the writing of one of our teen winners) that she was initially sure that she was looking at typefonts! (Fortunately, investigation confirmed that it was indeed actual handwriting in each case.)
/2/ After Laxman won his Triple Crown, a video meeting between him and the International Director (Kate Gladstone) revealed that Laxman does his magnificent work under unusual obstacles. Because of a birth defect, Laxman entered this world with no fingers or thumb on his right hand, only tiny stubs. 
He writes with his left hand, but is certainly a master of getting things right (or "write") by whatever means are necessary.`
The Times of India report on Laxman Bawankule becoming “Lifetime Triple Crown Winner”.
Newspaper articles about Laxman Nago Bawankule winning in 2019 as World PEN-CHAMP.
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Farrah KhoylooPleasanton, California, USA |
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Ellen JoyMalappuram, Kerala, India |
second place
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Narendramoorthi MadanagopalMadurai, Tamil Nadu, India
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age 9 - 12, Functional Handwriting (Cursive)
CLICK HERE to see this writer's prize-winning sample!
CLICK HERE to see this writer's prize-winning sample!age 9 - 12, Functional Handwriting (Manuscript)
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CLICK HERE to see this writer's prize-winning sampleJanie Lin is this year's World Pen-Champ; the best handwriter of all in this year's contest/ |
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age 7 and under, Functional Handwriting (Cursive)
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age 7 and under, Artistic Handwriting
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Here is a letter from Mollie MacEachern, a former winner in the Functional Handwriting (Cursive) 65+, congratulating the 2019 winners
The results are also available on www.heathyhandwriting.net.
Expected Handwriting Quality:
WHC evaluates handwriting quality on these factors:
World Handwriting Contest winners for future years probably will write this well or better, too.
However, these handwritings (below) do not come up to the expected level of quality.
Writings like these do not tend to do well in the World Handwriting Contest.
Generally, WHC does not require or prefer handwriting to adhere to this or that specific style of writing. An entry that follows a given handwriting-method does not receive "extra credit" from WHAC over an equally high-quality entry which shows a "mixed" influence, and/or which otherwise departs from one or more particulars of a taught system of penmanship.
Happy writing!
The judges may disallow any entry whose quality does not meet the quality standards for winning a prize, even if there are no other entries in that Division.
WHC will distribute its prizes for this year‘s Contest before the conclusion of the current calendar year. (Distribution of prizes may begin as late as mid-October). Additionally, the management of the WHC has already begun arranging to obtain prizes and sponsorship for the next year‘s Contest. (Want to help? Let us know!)
Each winning entrant
will receive at least one prize.
WHC will award at least two prizes in each of its age-divisions (a first prize and a second prize).
For the current year, each winner will receive a caligraphed cerificate.
What does WHC‘s future hold?
/1/ First and foremost, for 2007 and future years writers of ALL ages may enter the contest. Our previous limitation of entry to those aged 8 and above came from a concern among some judges that younger entrants might lack the skill or the desire to compete against others. However, we have learned better: thanks to numerous requests from parents, teachers, entrants, and (most of all) from those aged 7 and under who wished to enter but who could not enter under the old rules. For 2007 and thereafter, we have therefore established a "Children" group for these youngest entrants. Accordingly, we have re-named the previous "Children" group (entrants 8 through 12) the "Pre-Teen" group for 2007 and future years.
/2/ As always, in the current year and future years we plan to continue encouraging the ever-increasing participation in this worldwide contest, through media outreach and other means. This will depend on support from our sponsors (and any other interested individuals) in the coming year and future years.
/2/
In addition, we plan to continue expanding our top-level "World Champ-PEN-Ship" round of inter-contest competition, which provides WHC first-prize winners with the opportunity to test their skills against the first-prize winners of other handwriting contests (such as the PEN WORLD Handwriting Contest in years when this operates separately from the WHC, the Handwriting Contest of the Society for Italic Handwriting, and other contests which come to our attention and which would like to participate) for the ultimate prize of "World PEN-Champ.") In previous years, participating contests have included the HandwritingContest of PEN WORLD INTERNATIONAL magazine, the Handwriting Contest of the Society for Italic Handwriting, the Young Innovators' Club Handwriting Contest established by Indian businesswoman Maya Balani, and the CHAMBER Handwriting Contest established by Akron, Ohio community leader Jane A. Polk. We hope to continue adding more international, national, and local/regional contests each year to our World Champ-PEN-Ship roster.
CONTESTS CURRENTLY PARTICIPATING IN THE WORLD HANDWRITING CONTEST'S
WORLD CHAMP-PEN-SHIP ROUND:
/1/ the World Handwriting Contest itself (We would love to establish inter-contest competition with other handwriting contests ... yours, perhaps?)
We believe that top-flight competition among established prize-winners in penmanship greatly encourages public interest in handwriting.
If you -- or some person/organization you know -- runs or promotes a handwriting contest of any sort (local, state-level, regional, national, or other), we would like to work along with you to create future top-level prize/publicity/other opportunities for your penmanship champions and ours.
We would take particular interest in working along with handwriting contests run by:
HANDWRITING FOR HUMANITY
World Handwriting Contest
c/o Kate Gladstone - Handwriting Repair
165 North Allen Street
First Floor
Albany, New York 12206
United States of America
ATTENTION: Champ-PEN-Ship/
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
/2/
WHC's future plans also include conducting handwriting -surveys and other data-collection/research/publication to document the current state of handwriting in the USA and other nations, and to make the public aware of the state of our handwriting.
Using handwriting-contest entries and other data on the state of handwriting worldwide, over the coming years WHC hopes to provide the public with listings of which nations/regions/cities show the most (and the least) legible handwriting.
(As opportunity offers, WHC may also conduct surveys/data-collection regarding other aspects of handwriting.)
Implementing these plans will depend on available funding, sponsorship, and public interest. Once WHC can implement these plans, we will post results to this site as they become available.
Again - we wish you
Good Luck ...
... and Happy Writing!
