The Teen Writers’ Nest
An online creative writing community for teen writers to connect and grow together.
Are you a teen writer who loves writing, dreaming up stories, creating characters, and filling your notebooks with endless ideas?
If so, I want you to know something:
Your voice matters.
Your creativity matters.
And you don’t have to figure out this writing journey alone.
Teen Writers’ Nest is a free online creative writing community for teen writers ages 13 - 19.
Find writing friends.
grow your craft.
share your work.
developyour voice.
This is the writing community I wish I’d had as a teen.
When I was a teenager, my own writing journey was just beginning. I didn’t have everything figured out, but I took steps to build a strong foundation for the author and publishing career I would eventually pursue.
Looking back, I can see how important those early steps were.
And one of the most important parts of that foundation?
Community.
Having connections with other writers who “get it.” They can relate with your desire to spend time with fictional characters. They’re excited to hear all about the storyworld you’ve developed. And not only can they relate with your passion, but they can serve as a sounding board for those times when you’re stuck, frustrated, and in need of some new ideas.
Sometimes all we need in this writing life are some writing friends. Like-minded friends who are learning and growing along with us. Who can remind us that we’re not alone in the journey.
That’s exactly why I created Teen Writers’ Nest.
After mentoring teens for more than a decade–both virtually and in-person at writing conferences across the country–I have found so much joy in pouring into teenagers, watching them flourish in their gifts.
And you know what I’ve discovered?
Teen writers need each other. Together, they inspire one another. They can challenge each other to grow in their gifts and hold each other accountable to their writing goals.
Because it’s in this kind of encouraging environment that the writing gift receives the nutrients it needs to flourish.
That’s my heart behind The Teen Writers’ Nest: to pour into teen writers, breathe life into their dreams, and help them grow in both their writing and their creativity.
This free online creative writing community for teen writers is hosted on Discord. You will have opportunities to:
Meet like-minded teen writers and make new writing friends
Participate in writing prompts, challenges, and creative activities
Ask questions about writing, publishing, and the creative process
Share helpful writing resources
Celebrate your progress and encourage other writers
Share excerpts from your stories and receive thoughtful feedback
Brainstorm characters, plots, settings, and story ideas
Find teen-friendly publishing, contest, and writing opportunities
Work toward writing goals and stay accountable
Talk about books, stories, and the things that inspire you
Find encouragement when the writing journey feels lonely
You don’t need to have a completed manuscript. You don’t need to be published. You don’t need to know exactly what you want to write.
You simply need to be a teen who wants to grow as a writer and use your creative gifts.
What can you expect inside The Nest?
We live in a time when AI can produce words quickly. But true, authentic, human creativity is about so much more than merely producing words.
It’s about learning to think deeply. To feel. To notice the world around you and ask questions. Make connections. Develop your own ideas. Discover your unique voice. And practice the craft of bringing those ideas to life.
Yes, teen writer, your creative voice matters … now more than ever.
The Teen Writers’ Nest is a place where you can nourish those skills through real writing, creative challenges, conversations, feedback, and encouragement.
You’ll be challenged to write—not because your work has to be perfect, but because your creative voice deserves the opportunity to grow.
And there’s no greater time than now, in your teen years, to do just that.
In a world full of AI, your own creative voice is still worth developing.
Hi! My name is Tessa, and I am YA fiction author, editor, and writing mentor, and I especially love encouraging Christian writers as they pursue their creative gifts. However, you do not have to be a Christian to join Teen Writers’ Nest.
This online creative writing community for teen writers is open to writers from different backgrounds. At the same time, I do evaluate the content and culture of this space through my Christian faith, values, and standards. That means we will maintain a kind, respectful, age-appropriate environment without vulgar language or inappropriate content.
My hope is that every teen who joins will gain the support they need to grow as a writer.
A note from Tessa
Ready to join?
The Teen Writers’ Nest is entirely free.
Because this is an online creative writing community for teen writers, a parent or guardian must review the safety information and approve participation before a teen receives access.
To join,
follow these simple steps...…
Step 1:
Read the Parent & Guardian Safety Information.
Step 2:
Complete the parent/guardian approval form.
If you’re 18 or older, you may complete the form using your own name and contact information.
I can’t wait to welcome you into The Nest!
Step 3:
I will review your submission and contact you by email with the next steps for accessing the Discord community.
Want to hear more about my writing journey as a teen?
Read my Substack post: [Insert link to Tessa’s writing journey post]. https://substack.com/@tessaemilyosborn/p-210458300
You can also find an archive of my blog posts chronicling my writing journey on my old blog, Christ is Write.
Parent & Guardian FAQ
-
Teen Writers’ Nest is a free online Discord community for teen writers ages 13 – 19. It is designed to help young writers connect with like-minded peers, practice their craft, share resources, receive encouragement, and grow in their creative gifts.
The online creative writing community for teens includes writing prompts, challenges, brainstorming, progress-sharing, feedback opportunities, writing discussions, and information about teen-friendly contests and publishing opportunities.
-
Teen Writers’ Nest is for teens ages 13 – 19.
Teens under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian review the Parent & Guardian Safety Information and approve their participation before access is provided.
If a teen is 18 or older, they may complete the form using their own name and contact information.
-
Yes! Teen Writers’ Nest is entirely free to join.
-
Teen Writers’ Nest is created and overseen by Tessa Emily Osborn, a Christian author, editor, and writing mentor who has been mentoring teens for more than a decade.
The community will also have a small team of trusted adult moderators as needed. Moderators will be clearly identified and will help uphold the server rules, respond to concerns, and maintain a respectful environment.
-
Yes. The server will be actively moderated, and clear rules will be established and enforced.
Moderation may include:
Monitoring conversations and community activity
Removing inappropriate messages or content
Addressing rule violations
Using Discord’s timeout and moderation tools when necessary
Responding to reports or safety concerns
Removing members who do not follow the rules
Restricting access to certain channels or features when appropriate
Discord’s built-in safety tools will also be used where available. However, no online community can guarantee complete safety. Trusted adult supervision, clear boundaries, and open communication with parents remain important.
-
Members will be expected to:
Treat others with kindness and respect
Use age-appropriate language and content
Avoid vulgar, hateful, sexual, threatening, or inappropriate material
Never bully, harass, pressure, or shame another member
Never request or share private information
Never ask another member for their address, school, phone number, passwords, or personal photographs
Never pressure someone to communicate privately
Never impersonate another person
Respect copyright and other writers’ creative work
Share feedback thoughtfully and constructively
Follow moderator instructions
Report concerns rather than attempting to handle serious issues alone
Violations may result in deleted messages, warnings, timeouts, removal from the community, or other appropriate action.
-
The server will be configured with teen safety in mind, and unnecessary features that could encourage private or unsupervised interactions will be limited where possible.
However, Discord is an external platform, and no server setting can guarantee that members will never interact outside the server. Parents and guardians should discuss online safety, privacy, and appropriate communication with their teens.
Teens should never feel pressured to move a conversation into private messages or another platform. Any concerning behavior should be reported to a moderator.
-
Teen Writers’ Nest welcomes writing and creativity that is appropriate for the community’s age range.
Because I am a Christian and evaluate the community through my faith values, standards, and morals, the server will not permit vulgar language, explicit sexual content, hateful material, or other inappropriate content.
You do not have to be a Christian to join. The online creative writing community for teen writers is open to teens from different backgrounds, while maintaining a respectful, age-appropriate environment.
-
No. You do not have to be a Christian to join Teen Writers’ Nest.
I especially enjoy encouraging Christian writers, but I want the community to be welcoming to teen writers from different backgrounds. At the same time, the culture and content standards of the community will be shaped by my Christian faith and values.
-
Before a teen receives access:
The parent or guardian reads the Parent & Guardian Safety Information.
The parent or guardian completes the approval Google Form.
Tessa reviews the submission.
Tessa contacts the parent or guardian through the email address provided.
After approval is confirmed, access instructions for the Discord community will be provided.
Submitting the form does not automatically provide immediate access. The email confirmation step is part of the approval process.
-
Teens will have access to a designated way to contact a moderator or report a concern. They may also contact Tessa directly through the information provided to them.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to speak openly with their teens about their online experiences and to contact Tessa if they have questions or concerns.
-
Yes. A teen may leave the Discord community at any time. Parents or guardians may also contact Tessa to request that their teen’s access be removed.
-
You may contact Tessa through the email address provided on this page or in the Parent & Guardian Safety Information document.