Wild Works for Wolves
Submit your art to support wolf conservation
Calling all creatives: Raise your voice for wolf conservation!
Now through October 24th, 2026, Submit your fiction writing, poetry, or artwork about wolves and/or their habitat for a chance to win. Six (6) winners will receive prizes from
Wolf Haven International and best-selling eco-fantasy author Mina West to support
wolf conservation efforts and awareness.
Create to connect the wild in us all. Research suggests that creative outlets can be a critical vehicle to establish significant connections between humans and the natural world (Radhakrishnan 2025). Visual arts, oral storytelling, and other mediums have reaffirmed these relationships throughout history.
This October, Mina West and Wolf Haven International have partnered to deepen these values in a time of ecological crisis. Whether wolves inspire creativity through fiction, poetry, or artwork, share your wild works with us to raise support and awareness for their conservation.
Your Hosts
Mina West
Mina West weaves her career adventures as a wildlife biologist with her love for fantasy, and has been doing so for nearly two decades. She hopes to reconnect her readers to the natural world through the written word, and thrives in the space where science meets art.
Mina's upcoming novel, Heartfire (April 6th, 2027), opens the conversation around human-wildlife interactions and how we maintain our humanity by taking an active role to preserve our natural resources. Mina's goal with Heartfire is not only to reconnect readers to the natural world, but to build empathy, compassion, and community for wild things and wild places.
Click here to learn more about Heartfire.
Wolf Haven International has worked for wolf conservation since 1982 under the mission: conserve and protect wolves and their habitat. Accredited by both the American Sanctuary Association and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, Wolf Haven has rescued and provided a lifetime home to over 325 captive-born wolves, wolfdogs, and coyotes at their sanctuary locations in Tenino, Washington and Bridger, Montana.
Wolf Haven is a clear and persistent voice for wolf conservation and coexistence in the wild, and advocates for sustainable solutions that not only protect wolves but also minimize wolf-human conflicts and dangers to livestock. We take a science-based approach to wolf conservation by supporting the restoration of wolves in their historical ranges; actively discouraging wolves and wolfdogs being privately-owned as pets; and providing fact-based information to the public.
Visit WolfHaven.org to learn more.
Your Hosts
Wolf Haven International
Contest Rules
Before participating in Wild Works for Wolves, please make sure to read the official contest rules below.
Eligibility
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Each category has two age groups:
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Youth (age 5-18) and Adult (19 and over)
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Entrants under 18 must have permission from a legal guardian to enter.
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Written entries must be in English, but work may be translated.
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Due to limitations on shipments, entrants are limited to U.S. and Canada only.
Submitting Your Work
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Any donation will help raise funding for ongoing wolf conservation efforts through Wolf Haven International.
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All contest guidelines must be followed.
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One entry per category (fiction writing, poetry, or artwork).
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Entries will be accepted through October 24th, 2026.
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Winners will be announced on November 24th, 2026.
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Submissions will be accepted virtually using this link or the "Enter Now" button. Please do not send any submissions to Wolf Haven or Mina West directly.
Categories
Fiction Writing
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Write a short story about wolves and/or their habitat!
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Micro-fiction, flash fiction, book excerpts, and freestyle (1,000 word maximum across all genres).
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Double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point standard font.
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Must be original, unpublished, unrepresented work.
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Any AI-generated or AI-assisted work will NOT be considered.
Poetry
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Write a poem about wolves and/or their habitat!
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Poem can be up to 26 lines.
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Single-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point standard font.
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Must be original, unpublished, unrepresented work.
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Any AI-generated or AI-assisted work will NOT be considered.
Artwork
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Create art featuring wolves and/or their habitat!
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Mediums include drawing, painting, sculpture, digital art, mixed media, and photography.
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Must be original, unpublished, unrepresented work.
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Any AI-generated or AI-assisted work will NOT be considered.
Prizes
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Each category has two (2) winners (one per age group). Prizes include:
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One (1) Wolf Sponsorship packet from Wolf Haven International.
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A signed copy of Heartfire by Mina West upon publication (April 6th 2027).
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Winning submissions may be featured on social media with permission.
FAQ
How long will submissions be accepted?
The contest will be open from October 7th through October 24th, 2026.
When will winners be announced?
November 24th, 2026 unless otherwise updated.
Who will be judging entries?
Wolf Haven Staff and Mina West will be judging entries.
What are the donation fees?
Any donation helps Wolf Haven to conserve and protect wolves and their habitat. A suggested donation of $5-10 would greatly aid in Wolf Haven's mission. Please be sure to comment “Wild Works for Wolves” on the payments page.
How many times can I enter?
You may enter once per category (fiction writing, poetry, or artwork).