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Finding a Contest: Kay Snow Writing Contest

March 27, 2009

Cathy C. Hall 1 , , , Leave a comment

When I sat down, my hair was wet. Now it’s dry. It’s not easy finding a good contest for those of us who write children’s stories. But perseverance paid off!

The Kay Snow Writing Contest, sponsored by the Willamette Writers, is looking for juvenile fiction (short stories), book excerpts, or an article, as long as it doesn’t go over 1500 words. Easy-weezy, right? Well-l-l-l, you only have till Aprill 23, 2009.

I know. I’m sorry to spring it on you like this ’cause there’s a fifteen dollar entry fee (unless you’re a Willamette Writer). That’s a bit of money that you want to spend wisely, right?  So, check out the guidelines here and for heaven’s sakes, follow the guidelines carefully!

I have a story I want to send but it needs some spit and polish. And I intend to polish that fiction till it shines like, um, something really, really shiny.

Hmm. I better write better than that if I hope to win this contest.

Writers-Editors Network Writing Contest

February 17, 2009

Cathy C. Hall 1 , , 2 Comments

I have a rule about trying one writing contest a month. Although, I don’t always find one that’s worthwhile. (Guess that “one contest a month” is technically not a rule, huh?)

BUT, here’s a contest that I think is worthwhile and reputable (even if they’ve gone and changed the name). It’s the 2009 Writers-Editors Network 26th Annual International Writing Competition (formerly CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition). Now you see why I didn’t put the whole title in the post title.

And if you think the name of the title is long, you should see the guidelines/info. So, I’m just going to give you the gist and you can go check out all the added whatnot here.

The contest has several categories I could enter, but what interests me the most is the children’s category.  It’s technically called the Children’s Literature Division: Unpublished or self-published Short Story/Article/Book Chapter/Poem (all in one category).

The entry fee is $10.00 for non-members as long as the entry is under 3,000 words.  That’s in my financial comfort zone. Now, I just need to decide whether to send my book chapter or a short story. Or I suppose I could send an article, too. As long as I send something in by March 15, 2009.

That’s just a few weeks away. I better start writing. And finish reading those guidelines. I have a rule about reading contest guidelines very carefully (and that’s one rule I do follow!).

Winning is Swell! Why Don’t You Try?

October 21, 2008

Cathy C. Hall Kid's Market News , Leave a comment

You know what I always say about winning? You can’t win if you don’t try! I just added the Michael Lacapa Award to my Awards page. So, go check that out and ooh and ahh, but come right back to find out where you can win this month!

Back? Okay, find a story that you know a 3 to 8 year old would love. Preferably a story you have written. Now, take that story, give it a polish and send your gem to the Abilene Writers Guild Annual Contest in the Children’s Stories division. Yes, there’s an entry fee ($5.00) but there’s also a chance to win (sorta) big bucks. Your entry must be postmarked by October 31st, so quit reading and start writing. Oh, and winning!

Do Contests Count?

August 28, 2008

Cathy C. Hall Kid's Market News , Leave a comment

Let’s say that you have this wonderful kiddie story, all dressed up with no market to go to. So, you’re staring at your computer screen, thinking what about a contest? But then you pause a minute and think again. Do contests count?

Oh, yes. And not just those prestigious contests with expensive entry fees.  Those not-quite-so-la-ti-da contests with reasonable fees count, too.

You can practice keeping your writing tight when you have a word count specification. You can practice writing age-related fiction when you have a target/grade specification. You can broaden your appeal when you write for a theme. And finally, you can win! a contest and brag a little. (Okay, you can brag a lot if you take me out to lunch with your winnings.)

So try a contest, like this one. Children’s Writer has several contests a year. And even though there’s a fee, you get a trial subscription with that fee. So even if you lose, you win. That’s got to count for something, right?

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