1 | Cathy C. Hall Writes

So, remember when I told you all about Gail’s trip to Chautauqua and her book giveaway? And then I told you to rush over there and sign up so you could win?

I won! I won two swell books! And they came in the mail today:

I’ve had so many people recommend Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine, so I’m thrilled to have it! And though I don’t have a book of my very own yet, I have high hopes. So I’m eager to jump into Jacqueline Deval’s Publicize Your Book to learn a thing or two. So thank you, thank you, Gail! I’m so glad I dashed over to your blog for the book giveaway!

Speaking of dashing over, I wouldn’t have won, just sitting here on my boomerosity, thinking about how swell it would be to win books. I had to, you know, actually do something. So here’s your chance to do something and win, too. It’s the Family Friendly Short Story Writing Contest. There’s no entry fee but there are prizes! You can win cash and a subscription to CBI (Children’s Book Insider). Not too shabby, there.

All you have to, you know, actually do is write a story that’s family friendly. You can do that. And you can win, too. (Now dash off and start writing–you only have till Oct. 1st!)

Every year, I think this is it! I’m going to jump on Chautuaqua (figuratively speaking) and get that Highlights Foundation scholarship and go! And every year, I check it out after the deadline. And worse, around this time of year, I start hearing from writers who made the deadline, and attended the workshops, and HAD THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES.

Pffft. At least this year, my friend (and writer) Gail brought back goodies from Chautauqua and is sharing the wealth!

She’s been sharing the wealth of information she gleaned from all the presenters over at her blog, but today, she announced her contest, where she’s giving away SIX books! Books about writing for children and novels for children, too. All you have to do to win this awesome stash of books is check out her blog (with all the details). But you’ll also want to check this post where she gives tips from Julie Agnone, Vice-Pres of National Geographic for Kids. And you’ll want to read what authors Kathi Appelt and Kim Griswell had to share, too. You know what? You’ll probably want to read all of her Chautauqua posts.

Because reading about Gail’s adventure (and winning the books!) is a lot easier than remembering to sign up for that scholarship!

(And P.S. If you tell Gail that I sent you over, I’ll get an extra point or two. Um, I hope you can remember that!)