Read the fine print carefully. Some writing contests require that you give up various rights to your work. You want to retain as many rights as possible. The first big bonus to your participating in writing contests for teenagers is that it becomes a great discovery process. When you're willing to put your work out for public scrutiny, you'll find it exhilarating and scary at the same time. Once you've entered your work, you'll find yourself daydreaming of writing as a career. If your strength is poetry, you'll have urges to look at other poet's work. Who's won in previous competitions? How does your work measure up? Short story writing contests for teens may have you at the library or looking online for information and courses which will improve your writing.