Nancy Kelly Allen's Blog, page 34
September 23, 2012
Sensory Description: Taste/New Books/Calls for Submissions
I just received copies of my three new books. Holding them for the first time made me feel like a six-year-old at Christmas. Here’s a peek.
Back to regular programming. This blog is part of a series based on sensory description.
Describing sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, hot, cold, and different textures are ways to build convincing and engaging scenes. Imagery evokes pictures in the reader’s mind. Sour pickles, sweet chocolate ice cream, and juicy, cold watermelon are sensations that readers identify with instantly.
But to really get creative, we can go beyond the usual, the ordinary. A character might taste the salty air as she walks along the beach. Or the gritty taste of a mud pie. Yes, I actually did that once. Only once.
Taste is a description that many writers struggle with. It won’t be used as often as other senses because taste simply isn’t appropriate in many stories. But in stories in which flavor or tang is suitable, this descriptor can place the reader in the middle of the action.
Call for submissions for adult writers:
THE SANTA CLAWS CONTEST is for aspiring fiction and creative non-fiction writers who have not professionally published. This contest covers TWO issues: the October Issue (horror / suspense) and the December Issue (holiday / fantasy). SUBMISSIONS for the October Issue (horror / suspense) are now open. Please wait to submit holiday / fantasy material until AFTER October 15th. Liternational Editor’s will select the semi-finalists for publication and judging begins AFTER the December Issue’s release. Winners will be announced on or before St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th). You may submit in BOTH categories. You may also make MULTIPLE submissions. However, each contestant is only eligible for ONE prize.
Details at http://www.mariealexanderseries.com/s...
Call for submissions for young writers:
Creative Kids Magazine. The most exciting aspect of Creative Kids is that it is written by kids. Students from all over the world write for the magazine, so it includes exciting examples of the most creative student work to be found in any publication.
To find out more about Creative Kids or to submit your work for publication, please visit http://www.ckmagazine.org!
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
September 16, 2012
2012 Sensory Description: Sight/Calls for Submissions
In describing what a character sees, color, texture, and movement are essential. An easy way to frame descriptive scenes is with the use of notes. Jot down ideas in a notebook. If you’re at a ball field, observe the actions and reactions of kids as they participate in or watch the game. At a mall notice how people interact, walk, and shop. Writing notes will make you more conscious of observing others and you can refer to the notes when writing the scene.
Describing a scene through the sense of sight places the reader inside the scene. This allows the reader to “see” what’s happening and gives color to the flower or texture to the rock wall. A phrase such as “the barn” offers only the basic visual detail to the reader. A better visual is “the tilting, red barn with a rusty tin roof.” Instantly, the reader can conjure a barn visual.
Did the rain empty a dark, fat cloud in record time or did plump raindrops splat the sidewalk one at a time? How did people and animals react to the rain?
Pump up you writing with the sense of sight and your readers will know not only where things are but also what those things look like.
Call for submissions for adult writers:
WOLFoundation Prose Competition. "WOLFoundation runs an annual competition looking for the best non-technical, English language writing on any subject related to environmental issues. Entries will be judged by the members of our Advisory Board. The winning entry will receive a cash prize of $1,500. A further $500 will be awarded to the second placed entry. The shortlisted entries will be published as a book of collected essays." NB: "Entries should be written in prose in the English language. You can submit essays or short stories, factual commentary or fiction - whichever way and whichever writing style you choose to communicate your ideas. Just make it compelling." (Thanks to Adrienne R. Scanlan, http://www.shewrites.com/profile/Adri..., for pointing me to this competition.)
Deadline: September 30, 2012
Details at http://wolfoundation.org/competition
Call for submissions for young writers:
STARSONGS is a magazine for kids by kids ages 9-19. Our tag line is "voices of the future" and our goal is to inspire youth. Starsongs accepts original short stories, poetry, essays, photography, and art work by young people in the above mentioned age group. Full manuscript accepted from youth. Our next issue will focus on veterans, orphans, and loss. Each issue of Starsongs contains a mentoring article about writing submitted by an adult writer. If interested in writing for this feature, please query your idea first. Starsongs also features an interview with an extraordinary young person, which is usually conducted via email by Starsongs staff. We are always open to referrals of youth who have accomplished an extraordinary goal at a young age or impacted their community in some positive manner. For guidelines and further information about Starsongs, go to http://kidspublished.blogspot.com or contact Executive Editor Patti Shene at starsongs.mag@gmail.com.
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
Describing a scene through the sense of sight places the reader inside the scene. This allows the reader to “see” what’s happening and gives color to the flower or texture to the rock wall. A phrase such as “the barn” offers only the basic visual detail to the reader. A better visual is “the tilting, red barn with a rusty tin roof.” Instantly, the reader can conjure a barn visual.
Did the rain empty a dark, fat cloud in record time or did plump raindrops splat the sidewalk one at a time? How did people and animals react to the rain?
Pump up you writing with the sense of sight and your readers will know not only where things are but also what those things look like.
Call for submissions for adult writers:
WOLFoundation Prose Competition. "WOLFoundation runs an annual competition looking for the best non-technical, English language writing on any subject related to environmental issues. Entries will be judged by the members of our Advisory Board. The winning entry will receive a cash prize of $1,500. A further $500 will be awarded to the second placed entry. The shortlisted entries will be published as a book of collected essays." NB: "Entries should be written in prose in the English language. You can submit essays or short stories, factual commentary or fiction - whichever way and whichever writing style you choose to communicate your ideas. Just make it compelling." (Thanks to Adrienne R. Scanlan, http://www.shewrites.com/profile/Adri..., for pointing me to this competition.)
Deadline: September 30, 2012
Details at http://wolfoundation.org/competition
Call for submissions for young writers:
STARSONGS is a magazine for kids by kids ages 9-19. Our tag line is "voices of the future" and our goal is to inspire youth. Starsongs accepts original short stories, poetry, essays, photography, and art work by young people in the above mentioned age group. Full manuscript accepted from youth. Our next issue will focus on veterans, orphans, and loss. Each issue of Starsongs contains a mentoring article about writing submitted by an adult writer. If interested in writing for this feature, please query your idea first. Starsongs also features an interview with an extraordinary young person, which is usually conducted via email by Starsongs staff. We are always open to referrals of youth who have accomplished an extraordinary goal at a young age or impacted their community in some positive manner. For guidelines and further information about Starsongs, go to http://kidspublished.blogspot.com or contact Executive Editor Patti Shene at starsongs.mag@gmail.com.
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
September 9, 2012
Sensory Description: Sight/Calls for Submissions
In describing what a character sees, color, texture, and movement are essential. One of the best ways to frame descriptive scenes is to be observant to the things around you. Keep a notebook to jot down ideas. If you’re at the mall, notice how people walk, shop, and communicate. Write notes about similar situations in which you will place your characters. If a boy is at a bus stop, observe and make notes about kids waiting for the bus and how they act. Writing notes will make you more conscious of observing others and you can refer to the notes when writing the scene.
Describing a scene through the sense of sight places the reader inside the scene. This allows the reader to “see” what’s happening and gives color to the mountains or bloom to the flowers. Seeing “the cat” is a visual detail, but the detail can be improved upon with “the calico cat.” Instantly, the reader can visualize a specific color of cat.
Did the rain plummet in a blurry haze or did fat raindrops splatter one at a time on the sidewalk? How did people and animals react to the rain?
Pump up you writing with the sense of sight and your readers will know not only where things are but what those things look like.
Call for submissions for adult writers:
WOLFoundation Prose Competition. "WOLFoundation runs an annual competition looking for the best non-technical, English language writing on any subject related to environmental issues. Entries will be judged by the members of our Advisory Board. The winning entry will receive a cash prize of $1,500. A further $500 will be awarded to the second placed entry. The shortlisted entries will be published as a book of collected essays." NB: "Entries should be written in prose in the English language. You can submit essays or short stories, factual commentary or fiction - whichever way and whichever writing style you choose to communicate your ideas. Just make it compelling." (Thanks to Adrienne R. Scanlan, http://www.shewrites.com/profile/Adri..., for pointing me to this competition.)
Deadline: September 30, 2012
Details at http://wolfoundation.org/competition
Call for submissions for young writers:
STARSONGS is a magazine for kids by kids ages 9-19. Our tag line is "voices of the future" and our goal is to inspire youth. Starsongs accepts original short stories, poetry, essays, photography, and art work by young people in the above mentioned age group. Full manuscript accepted from youth. Our next issue will focus on veterans, orphans, and loss. Each issue of Starsongs contains a mentoring article about writing submitted by an adult writer. If interested in writing for this feature, please query your idea first. Starsongs also features an interview with an extraordinary young person, which is usually conducted via email by Starsongs staff. We are always open to referrals of youth who have accomplished an extraordinary goal at a young age or impacted their community in some positive manner. For guidelines and further information about Starsongs, go to http://kidspublished.blogspot.com or contact Executive Editor Patti Shene at starsongs.mag@gmail.com.
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
Describing a scene through the sense of sight places the reader inside the scene. This allows the reader to “see” what’s happening and gives color to the mountains or bloom to the flowers. Seeing “the cat” is a visual detail, but the detail can be improved upon with “the calico cat.” Instantly, the reader can visualize a specific color of cat.
Did the rain plummet in a blurry haze or did fat raindrops splatter one at a time on the sidewalk? How did people and animals react to the rain?
Pump up you writing with the sense of sight and your readers will know not only where things are but what those things look like.
Call for submissions for adult writers:
WOLFoundation Prose Competition. "WOLFoundation runs an annual competition looking for the best non-technical, English language writing on any subject related to environmental issues. Entries will be judged by the members of our Advisory Board. The winning entry will receive a cash prize of $1,500. A further $500 will be awarded to the second placed entry. The shortlisted entries will be published as a book of collected essays." NB: "Entries should be written in prose in the English language. You can submit essays or short stories, factual commentary or fiction - whichever way and whichever writing style you choose to communicate your ideas. Just make it compelling." (Thanks to Adrienne R. Scanlan, http://www.shewrites.com/profile/Adri..., for pointing me to this competition.)
Deadline: September 30, 2012
Details at http://wolfoundation.org/competition
Call for submissions for young writers:
STARSONGS is a magazine for kids by kids ages 9-19. Our tag line is "voices of the future" and our goal is to inspire youth. Starsongs accepts original short stories, poetry, essays, photography, and art work by young people in the above mentioned age group. Full manuscript accepted from youth. Our next issue will focus on veterans, orphans, and loss. Each issue of Starsongs contains a mentoring article about writing submitted by an adult writer. If interested in writing for this feature, please query your idea first. Starsongs also features an interview with an extraordinary young person, which is usually conducted via email by Starsongs staff. We are always open to referrals of youth who have accomplished an extraordinary goal at a young age or impacted their community in some positive manner. For guidelines and further information about Starsongs, go to http://kidspublished.blogspot.com or contact Executive Editor Patti Shene at starsongs.mag@gmail.com.
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
September 2, 2012
Sensory Description: Touch/ Call For Submissions
Today, I’m beginning a series based on Sensory Description. Also, from September through May in each blog, I’ll continue to list a market that accept manuscripts from adult writers and will add a market for young writers. Happy writing.
Sensory Description: Touch
Action and dialog are important elements in storytelling. Just as important are sensory details. Descriptive writing allows us to paint pictures with words. In the next few blogs, I’ll discuss the use of senses in writing, beginning with the sense of touch.
Tactile descriptions are sometimes overlooked in unfolding a narrative, but the sensation of touch can make a scene more vivid. The character might stick her hand in a bucket of wet, cool slime. She jerks and slings her hand but the slime sticks. Kids will identify with the sensation of slime on their hands. Explaining how something feels adds another dimension to the story.
Tactile sensations can be used to up the tension in stories for older readers. Imagine a drip plop-plop-plopping onto a floor in a on a dark, cold winter night. The character slides his finger through the puddle and is surprised the liquid is warm. He turns on a light to discover blood trickling down his hand. The warm blood launches cold chills down his spine.
Consider the textures surrounding the characters. Describing the smoothness of the water or the roughness of the tree bark, allows readers to enter the fictional world.
Call for submissions for adult writers:
New themes for Calliope are here: http://www.cobblestonepub.com/guides_....
Call for submissions for young writers:
AK eZine! We are looking for writers
Details: http://www.amazing-kids.org/old/ezine...
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
August 26, 2012
Shushing the Inner Critic/Call for submissions
You know your inner critic—that voice in your head that says your writing is not worth its weight in kudzu. The one that asks, Is that the best that you can do? Who would want to read this? We writers can be our own harshest censors. We agonize over every word as we plot out the story and write the manuscript. Let’s look as some ways to put the shush on that inner critic. It can be our worst enemy.
When beginning a new story, focus on getting the story written, not getting it written in finished form. The first draft is not supposed to be your best effort; that’s why it’s called the FIRST draft. Allow yourself the right to make mistakes as you get the words strung together. Correct the mistakes later through revisions, which may include several drafts to polish the manuscript. Good writing comes from rewriting.
Keep a folder of positive feedback from editors, writing partners, critique buddies, friends, and family to bolster your confidence and filter your own negative thoughts. \
Treat your inner critic the way you would treat a pesky individual who is pessimistic or cynical in regard to your writing: ignore or counter with positive thoughts.
Convert your inner critic to an ally and veiw it as a writing partner. Consider the negative messages a citique of your work. If the negative voice is saying the paragraph isn’t working, a character isn't full developed or the dialog is cliche', use your writer’s critical eye to reexamine the piece. Make the inner critic a valued resource.
Next week, I’m beginning a series based on Sensory Description. And in each blog from September through May, I’ll list markets that accept manuscripts from adult and young writers.
Call for submissions for adult writers:
HarperTeen and Figment are partnering to provide YA writers with this contest opportunity to get their story published in an anthology along with other well-known YA authors. The contest challenge: Write a story that takes place at night or in the dark. The story can be of any genre: contemporary, paranormal, horror, science fiction, romance, humor, fantasy, etc. What happens in the dark? Why are things different at night? Maybe it’s magic, or madness or both. A new anthology coming Summer 2013 from HarperTeen, Defy the Dark explores those questions and invites you to try your hand at answering them.
What’s in it for you? A chance to be published in Defy the Dark. The winner will be noted in the book’s table of contents, on the copyright page, and have a byline on their story. The grand-prize winner will receive a $500 cash prize awarded by HarperCollins and five copies of Defy the Dark.
Deadline: September 1, 2012
Details at http://dailyfig.figment.com/defy-the-...
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
August 19, 2012
Author Interview Blogs/Themes for Dig Magazine
Everyone has a story, but writing the story can be an overwhelming experience. Although the writing process is enjoyable (most of the time), a lot of hard work is involved. We sometimes get so immersed in our stories, it’s difficult to examine how to improve them. Writing is a solitary venture but that doesn’t mean that other writers can’t play an important role in the process. Writers gain immeasurable benefits from other writers. Writing conferences, workshops, and retreats offer practical information that can move a writer along the journey to publication. However, these events come at a cost: money for the event, time away from home and family, and travel expenses. This expenditure is out of reach for many writers.
The Internet offers useful, convenient advice, especially blogs. I read blogs that focus on author interviews. Those are the next best thing to sitting face-to-face and learning how the writer blazed the trail to publication. And this method doesn’t cost a cent. Read interviews by first-time-published authors to see how they maneuvered through the obstacles and passed through the gatekeepers (agents/editors) to gain that coveted contract.
For adult writers: New themes for Dig are here: http://www.cobblestonepub.com/guides_...
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
The Internet offers useful, convenient advice, especially blogs. I read blogs that focus on author interviews. Those are the next best thing to sitting face-to-face and learning how the writer blazed the trail to publication. And this method doesn’t cost a cent. Read interviews by first-time-published authors to see how they maneuvered through the obstacles and passed through the gatekeepers (agents/editors) to gain that coveted contract.
For adult writers: New themes for Dig are here: http://www.cobblestonepub.com/guides_...
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
August 12, 2012
Interview/Trends/Contests
This week I had the good fortune of being interviewed by Clancy Tucker, a writer, photographer, poet, and blogger extraordinaire who lives in Australia. I discussed my journey to writing professionally for children at
http://clancytucker.blog.com/2012/08/... Clancy’s daily blog for aspiring writers reaches readers in twelve countries.
A few times each year I like to check out the latest trends in children’s book publishing as viewed by editors and agents. Here’s what I’ve found:
The market is improving for picture books. Woohoo to that trend.
Shorter, character-driven stories are becoming popular.
Middle grade books are still strong sellers, even stronger than young adult.
Adventure and fantasy stories are on the upswing.
Paranormal and dystopian young adult stories have flooded the market so these genres are more difficult to sell.
Steampunk, fiction revolving around time-travel in the Victorian era when steam locomotives were the latest technology, is growing in popularity with teens.
Publishers are interested in realistic fiction.
As always, I’m not suggesting that anyone write with the trends as the guiding standard. Instead, focus on what inspires you, but keep up with the business side of publishing, including the trends.
Contests:
· McSweeney’s Internet Tendency has announced that it is once again column contest time, and you’re eligible if you’re writing in English, regardless of location. Even better: “We have prizes. Cash prizes. The top five selections will each receive a $500 lump sum and a one-year contract to write your column (twice a month or thereabouts) for McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. One of those five winners will win a $250 bonus voted on by our readers. We do reserve the right to choose fewer (or more) winners than our planned number of five.” Deadline: “Submissions will be accepted until Monday, August 20th at 10pm Eastern time.” No entry fee.
· The First Line First Line Contest: “To celebrate our 15th year, we’re giving you a chance to inspire the world. Send us your best (original and unpublished) starter sentences, and we’ll pick four to use for next year’s first lines. You have until August 31st to submit. The winners will receive $50 and five copies of the issue that was inspired by your first line.” No entry fee.
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
http://clancytucker.blog.com/2012/08/... Clancy’s daily blog for aspiring writers reaches readers in twelve countries.
A few times each year I like to check out the latest trends in children’s book publishing as viewed by editors and agents. Here’s what I’ve found:
The market is improving for picture books. Woohoo to that trend.
Shorter, character-driven stories are becoming popular.
Middle grade books are still strong sellers, even stronger than young adult.
Adventure and fantasy stories are on the upswing.
Paranormal and dystopian young adult stories have flooded the market so these genres are more difficult to sell.
Steampunk, fiction revolving around time-travel in the Victorian era when steam locomotives were the latest technology, is growing in popularity with teens.
Publishers are interested in realistic fiction.
As always, I’m not suggesting that anyone write with the trends as the guiding standard. Instead, focus on what inspires you, but keep up with the business side of publishing, including the trends.
Contests:
· McSweeney’s Internet Tendency has announced that it is once again column contest time, and you’re eligible if you’re writing in English, regardless of location. Even better: “We have prizes. Cash prizes. The top five selections will each receive a $500 lump sum and a one-year contract to write your column (twice a month or thereabouts) for McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. One of those five winners will win a $250 bonus voted on by our readers. We do reserve the right to choose fewer (or more) winners than our planned number of five.” Deadline: “Submissions will be accepted until Monday, August 20th at 10pm Eastern time.” No entry fee.
· The First Line First Line Contest: “To celebrate our 15th year, we’re giving you a chance to inspire the world. Send us your best (original and unpublished) starter sentences, and we’ll pick four to use for next year’s first lines. You have until August 31st to submit. The winners will receive $50 and five copies of the issue that was inspired by your first line.” No entry fee.
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
August 5, 2012
Former Occupation of Authors/Call for Submissions
Have you ever wondered what a famous author did BEFORE hitting it big in the literary world? Did the author’s job, such as news reporter, lead directly to another version of the printed word? Stephen King, The Shining, taught creative writing so the occupational leap wasn’t as great as that of George Orwell, Animal Farm, who was a police officer. Jack London, The Call of the Wild, worked at a cannery, and Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, tried her hand as an airline reservation clerk.
Eric Carle’s job as a graphic designer paid off when he illustrated his own book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Bill Martin, Jr., Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, taught school and developed literature-based reading programs before writing over 300 children’s books. Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat, worked as a cartoonist.
Successful writers abound from all backgrounds. So regardless of your profession, you can transition to writing books. Look around you for inspiration and let your imagination soar.
For more interesting information about authors and their early jobs, check out http://www.onlinephdprograms.com/the-...
Spellbound Magazine (a fantasy publication for children that closed in 2003) is reopening as an electronic magazine. This is a quarterly themed magazine. The first electronic issue, Winter 2012, has "Rings & Other Magic Things" as its theme. Submission period for it is July 1- October 1. They use short stories (max. 2,500 words) and poems (max. 36 lines).
Submit by email to:
Raechel Henderson for fiction submissions@eggplantproductions.com
Marcie Tentchoff for poetry poembound@eggplantproductions.com
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
Eric Carle’s job as a graphic designer paid off when he illustrated his own book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Bill Martin, Jr., Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, taught school and developed literature-based reading programs before writing over 300 children’s books. Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat, worked as a cartoonist.
Successful writers abound from all backgrounds. So regardless of your profession, you can transition to writing books. Look around you for inspiration and let your imagination soar.
For more interesting information about authors and their early jobs, check out http://www.onlinephdprograms.com/the-...
Spellbound Magazine (a fantasy publication for children that closed in 2003) is reopening as an electronic magazine. This is a quarterly themed magazine. The first electronic issue, Winter 2012, has "Rings & Other Magic Things" as its theme. Submission period for it is July 1- October 1. They use short stories (max. 2,500 words) and poems (max. 36 lines).
Submit by email to:
Raechel Henderson for fiction submissions@eggplantproductions.com
Marcie Tentchoff for poetry poembound@eggplantproductions.com
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
July 29, 2012
OOPS! Do As I Say, Not As I Do/Contest
When working with editors, our goal always is to mail an error-free manuscript and cover letter. In this electronic age when a simple press of the “send” key flings our work into cyberspace, it’s easy to overlook an error. Some publishing houses are now accepting manuscripts by electronic submission. The good news is two-fold: they accept manuscripts and emailing is free. So what’s the downside? Sometimes, we tend to ship out precious manuscript cargo without printing a hard copy. Catching our own mistakes is difficult because we read the work as we intend it to be rather than the way it is actually written and finding mistakes is more difficult when reading a computer screen. I made this mistake as recently as last week’s blog article in which I wrote “road” and it should have been “rode.”
I reread the article two or three times but overlooked the mistake with each reading. Had that been a cover letter, an editor probably would not have read further. Cover letters MUST be error-free and so should picture book manuscripts. Overlooking a grammatical error of longer manuscripts for middle grade and young adult manuscripts would probably not be a major problem for an editor if the mistakes are few and far between, but errors are totally unacceptable in cover letters and short manuscripts.
Happy writing and double-check, make that triple-check, your work. Even better, have a critique partner or two read it. Their eyes are fresh since they’re reading the work for the first time.
HIGHLIGHTS 2013 FICTION CONTESTCATEGORY:
Stories for beginning readers in 500 words or fewer. We welcome stories of any genre (mystery, historical fiction, sports, humor, holiday, friendship, etc.) as long as the stories are intended for kids ages 6–8.
PRIZES:
Three prizes of $1,000 or tuition for any Highlights Foundation Founders Workshop. (For a complete list of workshops, visit http://www.highlightsfoundation.org.)
All entries must be postmarked between January 1 and January 31, 2013.
RULES:
No entry form or fee is required.
Entrants must be at least 16 years old at the time of submission.
We welcome work from both published and unpublished authors. All submissions must be previously unpublished.
Stories may be any length up to 500 words. Indicate the word count in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of your manuscript.
Include your name and the title of your story on your manuscript.
No crime, violence, or derogatory humor.
Entries not accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope will not be returned.
Manuscripts or envelopes should be clearly marked FICTION CONTEST. Those not marked in this way will be considered as regular submissions to Highlights.
SEND ENTRIES TO:
FICTION CONTEST
Highlights for Children
803 Church Street
Honesdale, PA 18431
WINNERS:
The three winning entries will be purchased by Highlights and announced on Highlights.com in June 2013. All other submissions will be considered for purchase by Highlights.
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
I reread the article two or three times but overlooked the mistake with each reading. Had that been a cover letter, an editor probably would not have read further. Cover letters MUST be error-free and so should picture book manuscripts. Overlooking a grammatical error of longer manuscripts for middle grade and young adult manuscripts would probably not be a major problem for an editor if the mistakes are few and far between, but errors are totally unacceptable in cover letters and short manuscripts.
Happy writing and double-check, make that triple-check, your work. Even better, have a critique partner or two read it. Their eyes are fresh since they’re reading the work for the first time.
HIGHLIGHTS 2013 FICTION CONTESTCATEGORY:
Stories for beginning readers in 500 words or fewer. We welcome stories of any genre (mystery, historical fiction, sports, humor, holiday, friendship, etc.) as long as the stories are intended for kids ages 6–8.
PRIZES:
Three prizes of $1,000 or tuition for any Highlights Foundation Founders Workshop. (For a complete list of workshops, visit http://www.highlightsfoundation.org.)
All entries must be postmarked between January 1 and January 31, 2013.
RULES:
No entry form or fee is required.
Entrants must be at least 16 years old at the time of submission.
We welcome work from both published and unpublished authors. All submissions must be previously unpublished.
Stories may be any length up to 500 words. Indicate the word count in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of your manuscript.
Include your name and the title of your story on your manuscript.
No crime, violence, or derogatory humor.
Entries not accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope will not be returned.
Manuscripts or envelopes should be clearly marked FICTION CONTEST. Those not marked in this way will be considered as regular submissions to Highlights.
SEND ENTRIES TO:
FICTION CONTEST
Highlights for Children
803 Church Street
Honesdale, PA 18431
WINNERS:
The three winning entries will be purchased by Highlights and announced on Highlights.com in June 2013. All other submissions will be considered for purchase by Highlights.
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
July 22, 2012
Tips for Writers/Contest
In the past two weeks, I’ve conducted three writing workshops. In each class I’ve asked participants to offer feedback on some of the best tips for writing children’s books. Here are the top four:
1. Create a strong ending that reflects the beginning. The resolution should reflect the character’s problem or goal that was stated at the beginning of the story.
2. Show, Don’t Tell. SHOW the character in action rather than telling what the character did after the action was complete. Instead of TELLing that Timmy road his bicycle down the road, SHOW the scene by describing how he pumped the pedals.
3. Treat your character badly and then threat the character worse. Place obstacles in your character’s journey to raise the tension of the story. High tension builds high interest for readers.
4. Just get the story written. Don’t be too concerned about the use of voice and grammatical correctness at this stage. Good writing comes from rewriting. Future drafts of the manuscripts can spit shine it.
Contest for adult writers:
Family Circle . Limit 2,500 words of short fiction.
Must be unpublished and never have won a prize. Limit two entries per person.
Must be 21 or older and a legal resident of the US. Grand prize may be published in Family Circle.
One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive a prize package including $750, a gift certificate to one (1) mediabistro.com course of his or her choice, one (1) year mediabistro.com AvantGuild membership valued at $55, and a one (1) year mediabistro.com How-to Video membership valued at $99.
One (1) Second Place winner will receive $250, a one (1) year mediabistro.com AvantGuild membership, and a one (1) year mediabistro.com How-to Video membership.
One (1) Third Place winner will receive $250 and a one (1) year mediabistro.com AvantGuild membership.
Deadline: Deadline September 7, 2012.
Details at http://www.familycircle.com/family-fu...
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
1. Create a strong ending that reflects the beginning. The resolution should reflect the character’s problem or goal that was stated at the beginning of the story.
2. Show, Don’t Tell. SHOW the character in action rather than telling what the character did after the action was complete. Instead of TELLing that Timmy road his bicycle down the road, SHOW the scene by describing how he pumped the pedals.
3. Treat your character badly and then threat the character worse. Place obstacles in your character’s journey to raise the tension of the story. High tension builds high interest for readers.
4. Just get the story written. Don’t be too concerned about the use of voice and grammatical correctness at this stage. Good writing comes from rewriting. Future drafts of the manuscripts can spit shine it.
Contest for adult writers:
Family Circle . Limit 2,500 words of short fiction.
Must be unpublished and never have won a prize. Limit two entries per person.
Must be 21 or older and a legal resident of the US. Grand prize may be published in Family Circle.
One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive a prize package including $750, a gift certificate to one (1) mediabistro.com course of his or her choice, one (1) year mediabistro.com AvantGuild membership valued at $55, and a one (1) year mediabistro.com How-to Video membership valued at $99.
One (1) Second Place winner will receive $250, a one (1) year mediabistro.com AvantGuild membership, and a one (1) year mediabistro.com How-to Video membership.
One (1) Third Place winner will receive $250 and a one (1) year mediabistro.com AvantGuild membership.
Deadline: Deadline September 7, 2012.
Details at http://www.familycircle.com/family-fu...
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
