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The Mind Magazine First Annual Insight Poetry Competition:

General information:

Mind Magazine’s First Annual Insight Poetry Competition is now accepting entries. Deadline is August 15th. The winners will receive prize money and publication on the “Mind Magazine Top Talent” page, created to showcase the work of the finalists.

Fee: $10

Prizes:

First place: $300.00, Gold Medal Standing on-line presentation, and publication as specified.

Second place: $150.00, Silver Medal Standing on-line presentation and publication as specified.

Third place: $50.00, Bronze Medal Standing on-line presentation and publication as specified.

Forth place: $50.00, Mind Magazine T-Shirt and publication as specified.

Fifth place: $50.00 and publication as specified.

Electronic submissions are preferred, and can be purchased in the Mind Magazine store. Please be sure to include the entry identification number provided with your entry purchase, your return email, and the author’s name with each poem entered.

Send all entries clearly marked with the email heading, “Contest Entry” to: [email protected] Up to three poems may be submitted per $10 entry.

Entries may be mailed to:

Mind Magazine

PO Box 387

O’Brien, OR. 97534

Checks must be made out to Mind Magazine.

Entry Fees:

One to three poems: $10 All entry fees are non-refundable.

Submissions:

Mind Magazine is accepting submissions of poetry, prose, scientific articles and scientific papers. Poetry should be no more than three pages in length per poem, single spaced, #12 Times or Times New Roman font, two poems maximum per submission, one submission per month. Send submissions of poetry in electronic form, rtf or Word format, with the email heading clearly marked, “Poetry Submission” to Michael Spring at: [email protected]  Include your return email and contact information.

Submissions of prose, scientific articles and papers must be provided single spaced, #12 Times or Times New Roman font, one submission per month, in electronic form, rtf or Word format, with the email heading clearly marked, “Prose/Science submission” to Rich Norman at: [email protected]  Include your return email and contact information.

http://media.wix.com/ugd/cf8614_d2ea7f4b33f94026b853386cea6380aa.pdf

Dream Quest One Writing and Poetry Contest See April Post

Postmark deadline: July 31, 2014 All contest winners will be published online in the Dare to Dream pages, on September 20, 2014. Entry Form: http://www.dreamquestone.com/entryform.html

Prizes: Writing Contest First Prize is $500. Second Prize: $250. Third Prize: $100. Poetry Contest First Prize is $250. Second Prize: $125.  Third Prize: $50. Entry fees: $10 per short story. $5 per poem.

To send entries: Include title(s) with your story (ies) or poem(s), along with your name, address, phone#, email, brief biographical  info. (Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation.

Mail entries/fees payable to: “DREAMQUESTONE.COM” Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest P.O. Box 3141 Chicago, IL  60654

Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com for details on how to enter!

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2014/04/21/writing-poetry-contest/

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

While I was vacationing in Hilton Head when the votes were tallied and the winners announced. I have highlighted the winners. Congratulations!

__________________________________________________________

Atlantic

(Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Washington DC, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland)

FLAME IN THE MIST by Kit Grindstaff

City Cat by Lauren Castillo

I Hate Picture Books! Written and Illustrated by Timothy Young

Tea Party Rules by Ame Dyckman, Illustratrated by Keith Campbell

The Monstore by Tara Lazar, Illustrated by James Burks

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Margaret Medina

California, Hawaii

THE KITE THAT BRIDGED TWO NATIONS by Alexis O’Neil, Illustrated by Terry Widener

The 14 Fibs of Gregory K. by Greg Pincus

Destiny, Rewritten by Kathryn Fitzmaurice

Lara’s Gift by Annemarie O’Brien

West

(Washington, Northern Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota)

ONCE UPON A MEMORY by Nina Laden, Illustrated by Renata Liwska

A Moment Comes by Jennifer Bradbury

Bedtime In The Meadow by Stephanie Shaw

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

The Dinosaur Tooth Fairy by Martha Brockenbrough, Illustrated by Israel Sanchez

Southwest

(Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Southern Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico)

TEA REX by Molly Idle

All Through My Town by Jean Reidy

Backwards by Todd Mitchell

Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

A Summer of Sundays by Lindsay Eland

Midwest

(Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio)

SOPHIE’S SQUASH by Pat Zietlow Miller

45 Pounds (More or Less) by Kelly Barson

Boom! Boom! Boom! by Jamie A. Swenson, Illustrated by David Walker

Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds, Illustrated by Dan Santat

Doggone Feet! Written and Illustrated by Leslie Helakoski

Penguin Cha-Cha Written and Illustrated by Kristi Valiant

New England

(Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island)

The Story of Fish & Snail Written and Illustrated by Deborah Freedman

All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry

Call Me Amy by Marcia Strykowski

Dear Life, You Suck by Scott Blagden

Living With Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles

Monster Needs a Costume by Paul Czajak, Illustrated by Wendy Grieb

When Rivers Burned by Linda Brennan, Illustrated by Lisa Greenleaf

New York

Crankenstein! by Samantha Berger, Illustrated by Dan Santat

Forest Has a Song by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

Frogged by Vivian Vande Velde

Texas, Oklahoma

Army Camels: Texas Ships of the Desert by Doris Fisher

Ball Written and Illustrated by Mary Sullivan

Happy Birthday, Bunny! by Liz Scanlon

Nugget & Fang Illustrated by Tammi Sauer

The Dark Between by Sonia Gensler

The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt

Mid-South

(Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana)

THE 13TH SIGN by Kristin Tubb

Gaby, Lost and Found by Angela Cervantes

Ice Cream Soup by Ann Ingalls

Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos

My Blue Is Happy by Jessica Young

Swing Low, Sweet Harriet by Rhonda Hicks Rucker

Southeast

(Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama)

THE BALLAD OF JESSIE PEARL by Shannon Hitchcock

Anubis Speaks! by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Olivia Twisted by Vivi Barnes

Wild Discoveries: Wacky New Animals by Heather Montgomery

UK, Ireland

SHINE by Candy Gourlay

Fractured by Teri Terry

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Middle East, India, Asia

BONKERS! by Natasha Sharma

Jet Black and the Ninja Wind by Leza Lowitz

The Language Inside by Holly Thompson

The Seven-Legged Spider by Poh Peng Lee

Tibby the Tiger Bunny by Emily Lim, Illustrated by Jade Fang

Canada

It’s a tie!

I DARE YOU NOT TO YAWN by Helene Boudreau

SKINK ON THE BRINK by Lisa Dalrymple, Illustrated by Suzanne Del Rizzo

Brothers at War by Don Cummer

Hoogie in the Middle by Stephanie McLellan, Illustrated by Dean Griffiths

How I Lost You by Janet Gurtler

Stained by Cheryl Rainfield

Australia, New Zealand

Zac and Mia by AJ Betts

Ali Berber and the Forty Grains of Salt by Sheryl Gwyther

Big Red Kangaroo by Claire Saxby

Granny Grommet and Me by Dianne Wolfer, Illustrated by Karen Blair

The Boy on the Page Written and Illustrated by Peter Carnavas

The Wishbird Written and Illustrated by Gabrielle Wang

Welcome Home Written and Illustrated by Christina Booth

Other International

CHICK-O-SAURUS REX by Lenore Appelhans, Illustrated by Daniel Jennewein

Blossoms of Scarlet Illustrated by Marjorie van Heerden

Dragon Fire by Dina von Lowenkraft

The Lost (And Found) Balloon Illustrated by Maria Bogade

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

Wondering what’s in it for you?

• An announcement of the winner on the cover of Writer’s Digest*
• A 30-minute Platform Strategy Consultation with Chuck Sambuchino*
• A one year subscription to Writer’s Digest eBooks
• A chance to win $3,000 in cash
• Get national exposure for your work
• One on one attention with four editors or agents
• A paid trip to the ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference!

*A 30-Minute Platform Strategy Consultation with Chuck Sambuchino: In this 30-minute session, Chuck Sambuchino will review your current platform-building efforts, discuss goals for your platform, then provide tailored advice and a specific strategy for launching or growing your platform to achieve the results you want. Chuck Sambuchino is the author of Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript (Writer’s Digest, 2009), the bestselling humor book How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack (Running Press, 2010), which has been optioned for film by Robert Zemeckis, and the forthcoming titles Red Dog, Blue Dog (Running Press, July 2012) and Create Your Writer Platform (Writer’s Digest, Nov 2012). Chuck is also the editor of the bestselling Guide to Literary Agents and Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market annuals (Writer’s Digest). Chuck is a former staffer of several newspapers and magazines. During his tenure as a newspaper reporter, he won awards from both the Kentucky Press Association and the Cincinnati Society of Professional Journalists. During the past decade, more than 650 of his articles have appeared in newspapers, magazines and books. Chuck also speaks at more than a dozen writing conferences each year on the topics of securing an agent and building a platform.

*The cover announcement is being made on subscriber issues only.

Entry Deadline: June 2, 2014   How to enter: register and pay online or download a printable entry form. The Entry fees are $30 for the first manuscript; $25 for each additional entry submitted during the same transaction. Poems are $20 for the first entry; $15 for each additional poem submitted submitted during the same transaction. Enter your work into one or more of these categories:

• Inspirational Writing (Spiritual/Religious)
• Memoirs/Personal Essay
• Magazine Feature Article
• Genre Short Story (Mystery, Romance, etc.)
• Mainstream/Literary Short Story
• Rhyming Poetry
• Non-rhyming Poetry
• Stage Play
• Television/Movie Script
• Children’s/Young Adult Fiction

One Grand Prize winner will receive:

• An announcement of the winner on the cover of Writer’s Digest*
• $3,000 in cash
• One on one attention from four editors or agents
• A paid trip to the ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference!
• A one year subscription to Writer’s Digest eBooks
• A 30-minute Platform Strategy Consultation with Chuck Sambuchino

First place will receive $1,000 in cash and $100 off a purchase from the Writer’s Digest Shop Second place will receive $500 cash and $100 off a purchase from the Writer’s Digest Shop Third place will receive $250 in cash and $100 off a purchase from the Writer’s Digest Shop Fourth place will receive $100 in cash and $50 off a purchase from the Writer’s Digest Shop Fifth place will receive $50 in cash and $50 off a purchase from the Writer’s Digest Shop Sixth through Tenth place winners will receive $25 in cash. All winners will also receive:

• A one-year Writer’s Digest VIP membership, which includes a one-year subscription (new or renewal) to Writer’s Digest magazine
• Access to WritersMarket.com for one year
• Discounts on Writer’s Digest University workshops
• Discounts off of purchases made at WritersDigestShop.com

Be sure to check out more writing contests sponsored by Writer’s Digest.

Good Luck!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

By Victoria Davis

This year, in honor of World Art Day, Oxford invited photographers of all levels to submit their best street photography. Thank you to all of you who submitted! We received many thought-provoking, original entries, and are now happy to announce the winners.

Street photography is, according to Grove Art Online, a “genre of photography that can be understood as the product of an artistic interaction between a photographer and an urban public space.”

First place goes to Emily Huang for her photo “One Direction” taken in Taipei, Taiwan. Both of our judges were immediately drawn to this photograph, with Dr. Lisa Hostetler (Curator-in-Charge at George Eastman House) explaining: “This is a witty image that speaks volumes about the ubiquity of cameras on urban streets today, a situation that has fundamentally altered the nature and practice of street photography. It also recalls precedents in the history of photography, such as Friedlander’s Mount Rushmore.”

“One Direction,” Taipei, Taiwan. ©Emily Huang.

Emily will receive $100 worth of OUP books.

Second place goes to Leanne Staples for her photo “Life Goes One” taken in New York City. Dr. Hostetler explains: “An allusion to classic street photography, this photograph gives the viewer the sense of participating in the experience of the street alongside the photographer.”

“Life Goes On,” New York, NY. ©Leanne Staples.

Leanne will take home a copy of our Photography: A Very Short Introduction.

Congratulations to both of our winners!

Victoria Davis works in marketing for Oxford University Press, including Grove Art and Oxford Art Online.

Oxford Art Online offers access to the most authoritative, inclusive, and easily searchable online art resources available today. Through a single, elegant gateway users can access — and simultaneously cross-search — an expanding range of Oxford’s acclaimed art reference works: Grove Art Online, the Benezit Dictionary of Artists, the Encyclopedia of Aesthetics, The Oxford Companion to Western Art, and The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms, as well as many specially commissioned articles and bibliographies available exclusively online.

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The post Announcing the winners of the street photography competition appeared first on OUPblog.

        

Related Stories

• Street Photography from Grove Art Online
• World Art Day photography contest
• A conversation with Alodie Larson, Editor of Grove Art Online

 

Play Blankety Books and WIN Books!

5pm every Friday on Twitter

Follow @boomerangbooks and #blanketybooks to be part of the action!

How do you play?

We will post on twitter a book title and author with all the letters missing.

eg

_ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ by _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _

Guess a letter by tweeting at us using the #blanketybooks hashtag

eg

“ @boomerangbooks I guess the letter A #blanketybooks ”

We will slowly reveal the book title and author as more letters are guessed (you can guess as many times as you like but only one letter per tweet)

eg

_ _ _ _ A _ / _ _ _ _ _ by _ A _ _ A _ / _ _ _ _ #blanketybooks

_ _ _ _ A _ / _ _ _ _ _ by H A _ _ A H / _ _ _ _ #blanketybooks

B _ _ _ A _ / _ _ _ _ _ by H A _ _ A H / _ _ _ _ #blanketybooks

B _ _ I A _ / _ I _ _ _ by H A _ _ A H / _ _ _ _ #blanketybooks

First correct answer wins the book!

eg BURIAL RITES by HANNAH KENT #blanketybooks

We will contact the winner to post out the prize!

(Australian residents only)

The above illustration was sent in by Heather Dent. Heather is an illustrator from Berea, KY. She likes to use watercolors, but has recently discovered the wonderful paper collage genre that works really well for her style. When Heather is not hard at work on her illustrations she is playing disc golf, reading novels, or playing dinosaurs with her 3 year old son. Her blog is: http://heatherdentstudio.blogspot.com/

Discover Great New Writers Selection Process

Photo by Vicky Lorencen

Of course, that doesn’t mean authors don’t engage in our own kind of competition. I’m not talking about contests. It’s more about the weird competitive dynamic among writers seeking to be published. We have this crazy notion in our heads that there are a finite number of publishing contracts to be had and when one of our fellow writers snags one, that’s one less available for us. Well, hey, now. It’s not like that. There’s no song that goes like “A hundred publishing contracts on the wall, a hundred publishing contracts, take one down, pass it around, ninety-nine publishing contracts on the wall . . . .” (Thank goodness because that was be really tedious.)

The truth is, we compete with ourselves for what we want. We compete with our own schedules, inner critic and insecurities for dominance. We are not competing against each other. We are not rivals. We can all win. (And for the record, it’s been my experience that children’s writers are among the most generous, supportive and encouraging people toddling on ten toes. My husband was shocked by this. He couldn’t understand why writers would be so helpful to people who are their competitors. Maybe it is odd–but the good kind.)

And, by the way, if we were choosing sides for volleyball, I would totally pick you. (But please, please don’t bump the ball to me!)

I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn’t know how to get along without it. ~ Walt Disney

The Tomie dePaola Illustrator Award is given annually to an illustrator of promise chosen by Tomie himself. The award consists full tuition, transportation and accommodations to the New York Winter Conference held in Manhattan. The winning piece of art will be featured at the annual winter conference in New York.

THE GUIDELINES HAVE CHANGED THIS YEAR! TOMIE HAS SET UP A TWO PART CONTEST SO PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW CLOSELY!

Deadline: June 15th, 2014

Award:

The winner will receive a trip to the 2015 SCBWI New York Conference at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan, where the award will be presented. As a special addition to the prize this year, the winner will also get to have lunch with Tomie at the conference!

Eligibility:

The Tomie dePaola Award competition is open to all SCBWI members.

BELOW IS THE NEW 2014 PROMPT
FIRST PART

Visual sequence is key to conveying feeling, action, storyline, interest and character, especially in children’s book illustration.

One of the hardest things to do is to know your character so well—what he, she, or it looks like, how they move, how they project emotion, and at the same time to make the character immediately recognizable and consistent —all without resorting to a generic depiction, but making sure your character has charm, individuality and special qualities that make young readers fall in love with them. All of this is the same whether your character is human, animal, and yes, even vegetable! (Maybe inanimate as well)

The task is to create a six-panel sequence that has a beginning, middle and an end that is obvious, featuring a character of your own invention. It can be funny, sad, dramatic or ordinary, but interesting and with lots of invention and finesse.

I understand that there are computer programs that make “sequence” easier than good old-fashioned drawing. But, I don’t know any of them. I leave it to you.

SPECS: 4 to 6 panels – illustrator’s choice

SIZE: 8 ½” x 14” – horizontal or vertical

COLOR: B&W or Full Color – your choice

NO WORDS

DUE DATE: June 15, 2014. This is very important. Ten semi-finalists will be chosen by July 30, 2014, to go on to the next step: A final assignment that will be announced after the first phase of the competition is complete.

PART TWO WILL BE POSTED AFTER JUNE 15TH!

Guidelines:

Read these instructions carefully! Submissions that do not follow these guidelines will be disqualified.

1. Submit your entry by midnight PST on June 15, 2014. No files received after that time will be considered.

2. E-mail a single, high resolution JPEG, titled with your name (firstname_lastname.jpg) to [email protected] with the subject “Tomie”. The image must be an attachment, not a link or showing in the body of the e-mail. No original artwork should be mailed. All submissions must be digital. You will receive a confirmation e-mail within three days.

3. Tomie will select the 10 semi-finalists July 30, 2014.

4. You must be a current SCBWI member to win.

Do you want to be included in the “unofficial” gallery of submissions?

Three years ago, Diandra Mae, Illustrator Coordinator for the SCBWI Houston region, started an “Unofficial Gallery” of submissions to the award. It was such a great success that we’ve made it more official and easier to enter. Any SCBWI member who enters the award is eligible to be included in the gallery. The gallery will not be made public until the winning piece has been chosen and announced.

If you are interested in having your submission included please follow these guidelines that will be posted after round one.

Questions? Email the Grant Coordinator – [email protected]

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

You must be an SCBWI Member to vote for a book in your region.

VOTE NOW! You have through April 30th to pick a winner.

__________________________________________________________

California, Hawaii

The 14 Fibs of Gregory K. by Greg Pincus

Destiny, Rewritten by Kathryn Fitzmaurice

Lara’s Gift by Annemarie O’Brien

The Kite That Bridged Two Nations by Alexis O’Neil, Illustrated by Terry Widener

West (Washington, Northern Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota)

A Moment Comes by Jennifer Bradbury

Bedtime In The Meadow by Stephanie Shaw

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

Once Upon A Memory by Nina Laden, Illustrated by Renata Liwska

The Dinosaur Tooth Fairy by Martha Brockenbrough, Illustrated by Israel Sanchez

Southwest (Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Southern Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico)

All Through My Town by Jean Reidy

Backwards by Todd Mitchell

Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

A Summer of Sundays by Lindsay Eland

Tea REX by Molly Idle

Midwest (Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio)

45 Pounds (More or Less) by Kelly Barson

Boom! Boom! Boom! by Jamie A. Swenson, Illustrated by David Walker

Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds, Illustrated by Dan Santat

Doggone Feet! Written and Illustrated by Leslie Helakoski

Penguin Cha-Cha Written and Illustrated by Kristi Valiant

Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller

New England (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island)

All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry

Call Me Amy by Marcia Strykowski

Dear Life, You Suck by Scott Blagden

Living With Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles

Monster Needs a Costume by Paul Czajak, Illustrated by Wendy Grieb

The Story of Fish & Snail Written and Illustrated by Deborah Freedman

When Rivers Burned by Linda Brennan, Illustrated by Lisa Greenleaf

New York

Crankenstein! by Samantha Berger, Illustrated by Dan Santat

Forest Has a Song by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

Frogged by Vivian Vande Velde

Texas, Oklahoma

Army Camels: Texas Ships of the Desert by Doris Fisher

Ball Written and Illustrated by Mary Sullivan

Happy Birthday, Bunny! by Liz Scanlon

Nugget & Fang Illustrated by Tammi Sauer

The Dark Between by Sonia Gensler

The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt

Atlantic (Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Washington DC, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland)

City Cat by Lauren Castillo

I Hate Picture Books! Written and Illustrated by Timothy Young

Tea Party Rules by Ame Dyckman, Illustratrated by Keith Campbell

Flame in the Mist by Kit Grindstaff

The Monstore by Tara Lazar, Illustrated by James Burks

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Margaret Medina

Mid-South (Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana)

Gaby, Lost and Found by Angela Cervantes

Ice Cream Soup by Ann Ingalls

Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos

My Blue Is Happy by Jessica Young

Swing Low, Sweet Harriet by Rhonda Hicks Rucker

The 13th Sign by Kristin Tubb

Southeast (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama)

Anubis Speaks! by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Olivia Twisted by Vivi Barnes

The Ballad of Jessie Pearl by Shannon Hitchcock

Wild Discoveries: Wacky New Animals by Heather Montgomery

UK, Ireland

Fractured by Teri Terry

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Shine by Candy Gourlay

Middle East, India, Asia

Bonkers! by Natasha Sharma

Jet Black and the Ninja Wind by Leza Lowitz

The Language Inside by Holly Thompson

The Seven-Legged Spider by Poh Peng Lee

Tibby the Tiger Bunny by Emily Lim, Illustrated by Jade Fang

Canada

Brothers at War by Don Cummer

Hoogie in the Middle by Stephanie McLellan, Illustrated by Dean Griffiths

How I Lost You by Janet Gurtler

I Dare You Not to Yawn by Helene Boudreau

Skink on the Brink by Lisa Dalrymple, Illustrated by Suzanne Del Rizzo

Stained by Cheryl Rainfield

Australia, New Zealand

Ali Berber and the Forty Grains of Salt by Sheryl Gwyther

Big Red Kangaroo by Claire Saxby

Granny Grommet and Me by Dianne Wolfer, Illustrated by Karen Blair

The Boy on the Page Written and Illustrated by Peter Carnavas

The Wishbird Written and Illustrated by Gabrielle Wang

Welcome Home Written and Illustrated by Christina Booth

Zac and Mia by AJ Betts

Other International

Blossoms of Scarlet Illustrated by Marjorie van Heerden

Chick-o-Saurus Rex by Lenore Appelhans, Illustrated by Daniel Jennewein

Dragon Fire by Dina von Lowenkraft

The Lost (And Found) Balloon Illustrated by Maria Bogade

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

Filed under: authors and illustrators, awards, Book, children writing, Competition, Contest Tagged: 2014 Crystal Kite Award, Member Choice Awards, SCBWI

Children's writers are a bit like fish in those shrinking ponds in a drought.  We're not yet at the stage of trying to breathe mud, but still, times are tight.  So, is competition good for us?

First, watch the video ...

About the Book

Title: Billy and The Monster Who Ate All The Easter Eggs | Author: David Chuka | Publication Date: March 23, 2013 | Publisher: Pen-n-a-Pad Publishing | Pages: 32 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 8

Summary: Join Billy and Monster in this third episode of the series titled Billy and the Monster who Ate All the Easter Eggs. Billy and Monster love all the holidays as they get to spend quality time together. However, their best holiday is Easter as they get to eat their favorite food…CHOCOLATE! This year, they’re spending Easter with Grandma Chocalicious who loves Chocolate even more than Billy. She’s an expert at making chocolate cake, chocolate waffles and even chocolate pasta. This year Grandma Chocalicious has made a pyramid of Easter eggs for her party on Easter Sunday. Billy and Monster want one of the Easter eggs but Grandma says they have to wait till Easter Sunday. What happens when Billy and Monster tip toe downstairs and the pyramid of Easter eggs comes falling down?

Get your copy of this funny book for kids of all ages that is not only full of laughs but also has a lesson weaved in that you’ll love sharing with your loved ones.

Book Trailer

Purchase

* Print copy includes FREE coloring book inside *

Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle)

The Buzz

“Experience is the best teacher as Billy and his “purple shadow” learn a sweet lesson in Billy and the Monster Who Ate All the Easter Eggs. Beautifully illustrated, nicely formatted, this quick, easy story will be read over and over again.” ~ 5 Star Review, Julia B., Amazon

“My daughter has really been enjoying David Chuka’s Billy and Monster books. This is another fun addition to the “family.” As always, the story has a lovely moral (this time teaching the value of moderation – definitely the biggest word in the book)! It’s based on the very realistic theme of overindulging in chocolate/sweets, which virtually anyone can relate to and which kids find a lot of fun. And, awesome pictures as always. Definitely recommend it.” ~ 5 Star Review, Renee B., Amazon

“I really like the little monster in this book and how they get into trouble together. What child hasn’t snuck into the cache of candies that their parents have hidden? Cute story with a lesson for the little ones in your family!” ~ 5 Star Review, Patricia T., Amazon

“This is a cute story about a little boy Billy and his funny friend Monster. They love chocolate so much that they forget about obeying to older. At night, they sneaked to the chocolate egg pyramid, started eating the chocolate eggs and made a big mess. On the morning, they not only got in a big trouble, but they also got a bad stomach pain. They both had to learn a lessons about MODERATION. Nice illustrations, book well written.” ~ 5 Star Review, OPV, Amazon

“Billy and his monster friend enjoy lots of fun in this book, filled with great pictures and a cute story. It shares a lot about celebrating holidays, and intertwines humor and family love throughout the story. Hidden in the story is a nice message about eating in moderation, a well needed lesson in our culture of over-eating. Billy ends up being proud of himself and makes good decisions by the end of the book, while all the while sharing some adventures with his cute monster friend. Great read to share with your children or grandchildren year round, not just for the Easter holiday.” ~ 5 Star Review, Katie W., Amazon

About the Author: David Chuka

David Chuka lives in London with his lovely wife and two adorable children. His family are usually the first people to hear his funny and quirky tales. He was inspired to write his first book, ‘If You See a Doctor‘ after he struggled to find a book for his daughter who was a beginner reader.

He’s gone on to write more books including the popular ‘Billy and Monster‘ series, a funny set of books about a little boy and his Monster who get into all sorts of funny situations and learn about moderation, friendship, self control, bravery etc. Young children can relate to Billy and you’ll love sharing his adventures with your children, grandchildren and loved ones.

As a father himself, he has parents at heart when he writes. He recognizes that bedtime has to be one of the best parts of the day for parents and grandparents as it gives them the opportunity to bond with their little ones. He believes you’ll enjoy sharing his stories with your loved ones at bedtime.

In David Chuka’s books, you can stay rest assured that quality and captivating images will always complement the story to ensure your loved ones are spell-bound as you read to them. Beginner readers will also enjoy discovering new words as they read his books.

He has so many stories to tell and can’t wait to share them with you and your loved ones.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Want to win a copy of Billy and the Monster Who Ate All the Easter Eggs?

Enter for your chance to win 1 of 2 print copies of Billy and the Monster Who Ate All the Easter Eggs by David Chuka in a Goodreads giveaway (Open U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Australia; Ends April 17, 2014).

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Billy and the Monster Who Ate All the Easter Eggs

by David Chuka

Giveaway ends April 17, 2014.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: May 13, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, David Chuka and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

The New Jersey SCBWI June Conference opened for registration yesterday and it is already one third full, so don’t wait too long to register.  Here is the link: https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1427434

CALL FOR ILLUSTRATIONS: Still need illustrations for the month of April. Would love to show off your illustrations during one of my daily posts. So please submit your illustrations: To kathy (dot) temean (at) gmail (dot) com. Illustrations must be at least 500 pixels wide and include a blurb about you that I can use. Thanks!

Below is the April picture prompt for anyone who would like to use it. Guest Critiquer will be announced next week.

The above illustration was done by Elizabeth Alba. She works in watercolor and gouche. Elizabeth was featured on Illustrator Saturday in March. Here is the link: http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2014/03/08/illustrator-saturday-elisabeth-alba/

Here are the submission guidelines for submitting a First Page in April: Please “April First Page Critique” or “April First Page Picture Prompt Critique” in the subject line. Please make sure you include your name, the title of the piece, and whether it is as picture book, middle grade, or young adult, etc. at the top.

Please attach your first page submission using one inch margins and 12 point font – double spaced, no more than 23 lines to an e-mail and send it to: kathy(dot)temean(at)gmail(dot)com. Also cut and paste it into the body of the e-mail and then also attach it in a Word document to the email.

DEADLINE: April 24th.

RESULTS: May 2nd.

Use inch margins – double space your text – 12 pt. New Times Roman font – no more than 23 lines – paste into body of the email

You can only send in one first page each month. It can be the same first page each month or a different one, but if you sent it to me last month and it didn’t get chosen, you need to send it again using the April’s directions. Of course, it doesn’t have to be the same submission. It can be a first page from a work in process or you can use the picture prompt above.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

Here is my entry to Susanna Leonard Hill’s marvelous March Madness story contest. My story comes in at 398 and is a mashup fractured fairy tale. The rules are, “Write a children’s story, in poetry or prose, maximum 400 words, … Continue reading →

Leila Nabih sent the above illustration to help wet our appetites for warm starry evenings. Leila graduated from London Art College with a Diploma in Illustrating Children’s Books and she has illustrated a short story available on itunes entitled “Imagine”. She is currently working on two other Children’s books to be published this year. Her prefered media in terms of art licensing is digital. For children’s Illustrations she tends to mix and match between watercolours and digital. Here her blog link: http://leilanabih.wordpress.com/ and facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/LeilaNabihIllustrations 

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest (no fee)

Now in its 13th year, this contest seeks today’s best humor poems. No fee to enter. Submit published or unpublished work. $2,000 in prizes.

Deadline: Apr 01, 2014

Results Announced: Aug 15, 2014

Theme: Humor

Word Limit: Poem may be of any length

Entry Fee: No fee. Submit one poem only, please.

Prizes: First Prize, $1,000; Honorable Mentions, 10 awards of $100 each

Full Guidelines

Judges

Jendi Reiter

Lauren Singer

Past Winners:

Josh Lefkowitz, Saturday Salutation

The winners of the annual prestigious Golden Kite and Sid Fleishman Awards, given to children’s books published in the preceding year to recognize excellence in children’s literature by an SCBWI member in four categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Picture Book Text, and Picture Book Illustration have been announced.

Named for the late Newbery-winner Sid Fleischman, the SCBWI offers this eponymous award to authors whose work exemplifies excellence in the genre of humor, a category so often overlooked by other award committees in children’s literature.

The Golden Kite Awards and the Sid Fleischman Award for Humor will be presented to the winners at the Golen Kite Luncheon during SCBWI’s 42nd Annual Conference on Writing and Illustrating for Children, taking place in Los Angeles, California from August 2-5, 2013.  An Honor Book plaque is also awarded in each category.

Here are the winners:

Picture Book Text Winner: Sophie’s Squash Pat Zietlow Miller (Random House)	Picture Book Text Honor Book: Forest Has a Song Amy Ludwig VanDerwater (Clarion Books)
Picture Book Illustration Winner: Mr. Tiger Goes Wild Peter Brown (Little, Brown)	Picture Book Illustration Honor: Niño Wrestles the World Yuyi Morales (Roaring Book Press)
Fiction Winner: Better Nate than Ever Tim Federle (Simon and Schuster)	Fiction Honor: Rose Under Fire Elizabeth Wein (Hyperion)
Nonfiction Winner: Call of the Klondike David Meissner (Boyd Mills Press)	Nonfiction Honor: The Dolphins of Shark Bay Pamela Turner (Houghton Mifflin)

Sid Fleischman Humor Award:

 
Congratulations to everyone. I have only read one picture book. Has anyone read any of these books? What did you think?

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

The above illustration was sent in by Barbara DiLorenzo. She is a graduate of RISD and was featured on Illustrator Saturday on April 14th, 2012. Click Here to View.

Scribe Publishing Company’s Inaugural Short Fiction Contest 

The winning fiction will be 500 words or less, captivating, of any genre of fiction (no poetry), and begin with the word, “First.” (After all, this is a first for us, and firsts can be pretty monumental.)

Entries accepted until Oct. 31, 2013. Check out the rules and learn how to submit below.

Entries judged and winner selected by five of Scribe Publishing Company’s authors: Jody Lamb, Molleen Zwiker, Paul Flower, Barbara Pietron, and S. J. Lomas.

Prizes:

1st Prize          $500 2nd Prize         $100 3rd Prize          $50

The first-, second- and third-prize winner’s stories will be archived on Scribe Publishing Company’s blog (credited to the winners).

Rules:

• Open to all writers, previously published or not
• Limited to 1,000 entries
• Submit original, unpublished work of short fiction, written in the English language
• Writer retains rights to work, whether the piece is selected as a winner or not
• Keep within the 500-word limit
• Use the word “First” as the first word of your story
• All genres welcome
• Please edit and proof your entry
• Use 12 pt, double spaced Arial, Times New Roman or Courier
• Submit entry and payment by 11:59 pm October 31, 2013 (see detailed info below on how to submit entry and payment. Entries for which payment is not received by deadline will be excluded from contest.)
• If 1,000 entries are reached before 11:59 pm October 31, 2013, Scribe Publishing Company will announce on its site that the contest has reached maximum capacity, and the contest will be closed. Judging will proceed as scheduled.
• Multiple entries are permitted; treat each entry separately and each requires entry fee of $10.
• All decisions are final and will be announced Monday, December 23, 2013 at scribe-publishing.com/news; award checks will be mailed that day.
• Open to legal residents of the fifty states and D.C., age 18 or over. Void where prohibited.

To enter: follow these five steps.

1. Finalize your piece, then submit payment of $10 first. Two options to pay:

• If you’re paying by credit card through PayPal (you do not need a PayPal account to do so):
  • Enter the title of your story and click the “Buy Now” icon directly below this bullet. (Make note of the receipt number PayPal assigns to include in your entry email and in the header of your word document. You will receive your receipt number after you enter your details and click “pay now” on the second screen. The confirmation page will say, “Your receipt number for this payment is:…”)
  • PAY WITH CREDIT CARD HERE:
    

    Title of submission

 -or-

• If you’re paying by check (payable to: Scribe Consulting LLC, 29488 Woodward Ave, Suite 426, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073)
  • Write your story title in the memo line of your check
  • Make note of your check number to include in your entry email and in the header of your word document
  • If the check is returned, your entry is void
  • Do not mail us a hard copy of your story – email it per the directions below

2. Save your story in a Word document

• Does it start with the word, “First”? (see rules)
• Name the file the title of your story, and include the title in the Word document as well
• In the header, include your PayPal receipt number or check number
• Please DO NOT include your name or any personal information in your Word document – we want the judging to remain anonymous

3. Attach your Word document in an email to: [email protected]

• Use the title of your story as the email subject line
• Include your first and last name and contact information (including mailing address, in case you win) in the body of your email. Your information will not be sold or used for any communication, except to send an award should you be selected as a contest winner.
• Include your PayPal receipt number or check number in the body of the email

4. Tell your friends

5. Check scribe-publishing.com/news on Monday, December 23

- See more at: http://scribe-publishing.com/writerscontest/#sthash.1GIsC5xm.dpuf

Good Luck!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

THE SOCIETY OF CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS DEBUTS THE SPARK AWARD FOR INDEPENDENTLY-PUBLISHED WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS

The SCBWI is pleased to announce the creation of The Spark Award, an annual award that recognizes excellence in a children’s book published through a non-traditional publishing route.  The award is open to current writer and/or illustrator SCBWI members who have independently-published a board book, picture book, chapter book, middle grade, or young adult novel through an established self- publishing enterprise  or individually self-published.  Submissions must be submitted in traditionally bound form, contain an ISBN number, and provide evidence of Copyright registration.

Entries may not have been previously published in any print or digital form prior to the self-published form and SCBWI reserves the right to disqualify books published by enterprises that we believe, in our discretion, operate in a predatory or unprofessional manner.

One winner and one honor book will be chosen by a panel of industry professionals and will focus on quality of writing and concept, quality of illustrations (if applicable), professional presentation, and editing and design.

SCBWI Executive Director, Lin Oliver, and President, Stephen Mooser, strongly believe that, “it is time that SCBWI recognize that there are new models for publishing. The Spark Award is one way we can reward those authors and illustrators who are pursuing independent and self-publishing in a legitimate and high quality way.”

The winner will receive a Spark seal to display on their book, a commemorative plaque, have their book featured in the SCBWI online bookstore and marketed on SCBWI social networking sites, and receive the opportunity to sell their book at the SCBWI Summer or Winter Conference in Los Angeles or New York.

For more information and submission guidelines see Spark Award under the “Awards and Grants” section.

Deadline:  Deadline for submission is December 31 for books published in that calendar year. Books published in previous years and re-issues are ineligible.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

Writer’s Digest hosts the first-ever self-published ebook competition — the  Self-Published eBook Awards. This self-published competition spotlights today’s self-published works and honors self-published authors.Whether you’re a professional writer, a part-time freelancer or a self-starting student, here’s your chance to enter Writer’s Digest’s newest competition exclusively for self-published ebooks.

Deadline: October 1, 2013

Enter your book into one these categories:

• Fiction (Includes but not limited to Mainstream/Literary Fiction, Children’s/Picture books, Genre Fiction, Middle-Grade/Young Adult books)
• Nonfiction (Includes but not limited to Reference Books, Cookbooks, Life Stories)

One Grand Prize Winner will receive:

• $2,000 cash
• Interview with winner featured in Writer’s Digest magazine
• Winner’s name on the cover of Writer’s Digest magazine (subscriber issues)
• $200 worth of Writer’s Digest books
• 30-minute platform & marketing consultation with Chuck Sambuchino, author of Create Your Writer Platform
• Subscription to Writer’s Digest magazine

The First-Place Winner in each category will receive:

• $500 in prize money
• Recognition in Writer’s Digest magazine
• $100 worth of Writer’s Digest Books
• Subscription to Writer’s Digest magazine

The Second-Place Winner in each category will receive:

• $250 in prize money
• Recognition in Writer’s Digest magazine
• $50 worth of Writer’s Digest Books
• Subscription to Writer’s Digest magazine

Honorable Mention Winners will receive $50 worth of Writer’s Digest Books and be promoted on www.writersdigest.com.

All entrants will receive a brief commentary from the judges.

THE RULES:

1. The competition is open to all English-language self-published books for which the authors have paid the full cost of publication, or the cost of publication has been paid for by a grant or as part of a prize.

2. You must enter online. Acceptable file types include .epub, .mobi, .ipa, etc.

3. Entries will be evaluated on content, writing quality and overall quality of production and appearance.

4. All books published or revised between 2008 and 2013 are eligible. (Writer’s Digest may demand proof of eligibility of semifinalists.)

5. We accept check, money order or credit card payment for the required judging fee. Regular entry fees are $85 for the first entry, $60 for each additional entry Payment must be received before a title goes to the judges.

6. All Entries submitted must be postmarked by October 1, 2013. All winners will be notified by December 31, 2013.

7. Judges reserve the right to re-categorize entries.

8. Books which have previously won awards from Writers Digest are not eligible.

9. Employees of F+W Media, Inc. and their immediate families are not eligible. Books published by Abbott Press are not eligible to participate.

10. Writer’s Digest is not responsible for the loss, damage or return of any books submitted to the competition.

I know the fee to submit is high, but the rewards could be great. Good luck!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

Are you an Alex Rider superfan?

Think you know your Alex Rider missions? Test your knowledge with the Alex Rider superfan challenge, for a chance to win a PS3, a signed copy of Russian Roulette, and a set of the entire Alex Rider series.*

Take the challenge now at www.alexrider.com/roulette

(Please note – the challenge is best played on desktop/laptop PCs and macs.)

*Competition open to residents of the UK and Ireland only. Closes 30/11/2013.

Last week I was gearing up for action after my summer break and it already it's all go!

This June illustration was sent in by Amalia Hoffman. It looks like another character fell down the rabbit hole. Amalia was featured on Illustrator Saturday September 9, 2010. Here is the link: http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/illustrator-saturday-amalia-hoffman/. You can also visit her site at: www.amaliahoffman.com 

Do you write picture books? Can you edit to tell your story in 150 words or less? If so, this Contest put on by Children’s Writer® might be right up your alley.  It does cost $15 to enter, but the fee will also pay for an introductory eight-month subscription to Children’s Writer, a monthly 12-page+ emailed digital newsletter that’s dedicated to keeping you up-to-date on children’s writing.

The contest is for fiction about exploration for kindergarteners up to 150 words. The story should be appropriate to children 5 to 7 learning to read on their own. The theme of exploration could be set at home, down the block, at school, on vacation, in books: Use your imagination! The story should be fun, colorful, use well-targeted words, and have special interest for the age group. Do not write too high for this readership. Know what a five or seven-year-old can and cannot read. Originality and the overall quality of writing will also be considered. Publishability is the ultimate criterion.

There are five cash prizes: $500 for the top winner, $250 for second place, and $100 for third, fourth, and fifth places.

Entry Fee: $15

Entries must be received by July 12, 2013.

Good luck!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

Penguin’s Grosset & Dunlap imprint will award a $10,000 contract to a writer who can write the first book in a new young adult series based on Jim Henson’s 1982 fantasy film THE DARK CRYSTAL.

The world of The Dark Crystal is a world unlike any we have ever known. Under the triple suns, the skies roil with cloud formations not seen in our skies. Seedpods spiral up and rocks scuttle off. It is a world where the wise and noble urSkeks have been split into two imperfect races, Skeksis and urRu; and the Gelfling Clans, the species most like our own, go about their lives not knowing what their future holds. This is a world waiting to be explored and expanded upon with new stories, new quests.

You could be the author of a new novel
set in the world of Jim Henson’s
The Dark Crystal.

At The Jim Henson Company, we continue to be enthralled with the possibilities of this world and invite you to join us in our obsession. We have set up a portal to share what we know, a new website with all of the information about this place and these creatures: DarkCrystal.com. We invite you to use the resources, character descriptions, locations, and history on this site to join us in imagining the next Dark Crystal story.

Cheryl Henson Founder, DarkCrystal.com

When talking with Charlotte Bennardo on Friday at the conference, she showed me a receipt that she received at Barnes and Noble after buying a cup of coffee. I just thought this was so cool. Imagine seeing your book suggested on the receipt. Must have been very exciting for Charlotte. Another reason to make sure you look at your receipts.

In its nearly three centuries of existence, The Saturday Evening Post has published short fiction by a who’s who of American authors including F. Scott Fitzgerald; William Faulkner; Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.; Ray Bradbury; Louis L’Amour; Sinclair Lewis; Jack London; and Edgar Allan Poe. Now you have the opportunity to join that illustrious line-up by taking part in The Saturday Evening Post’s Second Annual Great American Fiction Contest.

The winning story will be published in the Jan/Feb 2014 edition of the magazine and on our website. The winning writer will receive a payment of $500. Five runners-up will be published on our website and receive payment of $100 each.

Helpful Hints:

“We like a good story! Entries should be character- or plot-driven pieces in any genre of fiction, but keep it readable, please! “We are looking for stories with universal appeal touching on shared experiences and themes that will resonate with readers from diverse backgrounds and experience,” says Joan SerVaas, publisher of The Saturday Evening Post.” Think local. The Post has historically played a role in defining what it means to be an American. Your story should in some way touch upon the publication’s mission: Celebrating America, Past, Present, and Future.

Submission Guidelines:

Stories must be submitted by the author, previously unpublished (excluding personal websites and blogs), and 1,500-5,000 words in length. No extreme profanity or graphic sex scenes, please. All stories must be submitted online and should be in Microsoft Word format with the author’s name, address, telephone number, and email address on the first page. There is a $10 entry fee, which helps defray a portion of the cost of operating the contest.

Click on the “Fiction Contest Entry Form” link below to upload your story and make a secure payment. Deadline for entry is 11:59 p.m. (EST), July 1, 2013.

Fiction Contest Entry Form

Thanks in advance for participating! The Editors

We’re pleased to announce “Wolf” by Lucy Jane Bledsoe the winner of our 2013 Great American Fiction Contest! Click here to read the prize-winning fiction from our winner and six runners-up.

- See more at: http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/fiction-contest#sthash.sEifrf2J.dpuf

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

What is the Katherine Paterson Prize for YA and Children’s Writing?