Happy Birthday book/ Contest

My latest book, Happy Birthday: The Story of the World’s Most Popular Song, is hot off the presses. The story takes us back to the late 1800s. In the days when candles flickered the night with light, Mildred and Patty Hill pierced the quiet with music and song. Mildred tickled the ivories as Patty strung words, one after the other. Together, they wrote the little ditty, Good Morning to You, for the kindergarten students where Mildred taught and Patty was the principal in Louisville, Kentucky. Discover how they came to write the world's most famous song, Happy Birthday.

Since Happy Birthday is a biography, today’s writing workshop tips spotlight picture book biographies.
1. Research must be accurate.
2. Picture book biographies usually focus on one aspect of a person’s life, rather than the entire life.
3. Think in visual terms. Use action verbs in describing the character so much of the story can be told through illustrations.
4. Consider aspects of the person’s life that will be interesting, understandable, and appealing to the reader.
5. Reflect on anecdotes that will bring the character to life.
6. Give the story a beginning, middle, and end. The biography should make us care about the person, and the writing should never be boooooring.

Teachers, here are a few writing activities. For more check out my website at www.nancykellyallen.com:

Ø Students interview each other and write biographies about those they interviewed.

Ø Discuss how cities have changed since the time the Hill sisters wrote the world’s most famous song. Consider the following: transportation, lighting, streets, clothing, schools, communication, housing, etc. Write a story about living in the late 1800s or early 1900s.

Ø Students brainstorm words that describe themselves. They use those words to write an autobiography.

Ø Create a pie biography. Cut a circle into eight slices. Students list one fact about the Hill sisters per slice. Illustrate each slice. Invite students to dramatize the person by acting a scene from the person’s life.


And now for the contest:
1. The Guide to Literary Agents site is hosting a MG/YA Contest.

What to Submit:
The first 150-200 words of your unpublished, book-length work of middle grade or young adult fiction. You must include a contact e-mail address with your entry and use your real name. Also, submit the title of the work and a logline (one-sentence description of the work) with your entry.
CONTEST DETAILS
1. This contest will be live for approximately fourteen days - from Feb. 7 through the end of Sunday, Feb. 21, EST. Winners notified by e-mail within seven days of end of contest. Winners announced on the blog thereafter. Contest is open to writers of all ages.
For more details and info, go to:

http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/CategoryView,category,Contests.aspx.
or

Omit the Boring Parts, No-Fee Writing Contests

Award-winning author Elmore Leonard gives this advice: I try to leave out the parts that people skip. How can we determine what parts of our writing to leave out of a story? Of course, figuring out the boring parts is difficult, but these ideas will help:

1. Begin a story with action. Start where the character’s world is beginning to change.
2. Eliminate unnecessary words. I recently wrote in a manuscript, he frowned his forehead. I only needed two words: he frowned. A member of my critique group pointed that out. I seem to catch those mistakes in other people’s writing but not in my own. That brings me to another point.
3. Have two or three people read your work and provide feedback.
4. Show action with words. In my book, THE MUNCHED-UP FLOWER GARDEN, I wrote the first draft with the phrase, James ran. In revision, I changed those words to James sure can make the dust fly as he picks them up and puts them down.
5. Up the tension in your story. If the reader is anxious to find out what is happening next with the character, they won’t be bored. Keep the character deep within a problem until the end of the story.

Here are two more no-fee contests:

1. chixLIT and chixLITtle are literary 'zines for girls aged 7 to 17.

It's easy to submit to either literary 'zine by and for girls. You must
be female to be published. If you are age 7 to 12, submit to chixLITtle;
if you are 13 to 17, send to chixLIT. Choose one or two of your best
pieces of writing-nothing too long: poem, short short story, review,
rant, love letter, song. (300-word maximum, please). Send in the body of
an e-mail to Submit@chixLIT.com. They prefer email, but if you MUST
send snail mail or a photo, use this:
chixLIT
PO Box 12051
Orange CA 92859


2. Thin Threads Upcoming Story Writing Contest

Should your story be selected and be included in one of the "Thin Threads"® book series, a permission fee of $100 will be paid.
Thin Threads is currently collecting stories in the following categories:
1. Thin Threads of Money & Hardship
2. Thin Threads of Business & Career
3. Thin Threads of Holidays & Celebrations
(including Romance/Valentines Day)
4. Thin Threads of Teens & Young Adults
5. Thin Threads: The Legacy Project – featuring fathers, mothers, grandparents
6. Thin Threads of New Moms & Dads
KIWI is looking for true, inspirational stories; 1200 words or less, that will make readers laugh, cry, or sigh
For details check out http://www.thinthreads.com/contest.php

Keep a Small Notebook/ Two No-fee Contests

Writers, keep a small notebook with you, one that will fit into your pocket or purse. Teachers, encourage your students to do the same. Every time you hear a distinctive phrase write it down. If you read an article you think you could work into a story, write it down. Ideas pop into our heads and we always think we’ll remember them, but of course we don’t. Instead of relying on our memories, you guessed it: write it down in the small notebook you never leave home without. You just might create a contract-catching character as you’re out and about.
Students can use notebooks to learn to focus on the world surrounding them.
Encourage students to write notes they can later turn to for inspiration and ideas.
Some notebook ideas include:
What angers/upsets me?
What makes me happy/content?
What is interesting? Boring?
Favorite quotes
Interesting places to visit
Places to revisit
What makes a good friend?
I wonder why…
Interesting people
Feelings
What I like to do
Books I like to read

Here are a couple of contests for young writers:

1. CREATIVE KIDS MAGAZINE is looking for the very best material by students (ages
8–16). Material may include cartoons, songs, stories between
500 and 1200 words, puzzles, photographs, artwork, games,
editorials, poetry, and plays, as well as any other creative
work that can fit in the pages of the magazine. Students
submitting accepted material will receive a free copy of the
Creative Kids issue in which their work appears. Creative Kids
reserves the right to edit submissions. For more details check out http://www.prufrock.com/client/client_pages/prufrock_jm_ck_wg.cfm

2. The PBS The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is for kids who are in Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade or 3rd Grade. Are you in a K-3 Grade? Great! Here's what you'll need to do to submit your entry. Don't forget to ask for help from an adult here if you need it!
1-Take a peek at the Prizes & Rules page. Make sure you can enter the Contest...and see what you can win!
2. Find your local PBS station and download the Contest Entry Form.

Writing Activities Based on The Truth About Princesses

My latest picture book, The Truth About Princesses, is a look at popular fairy tale princesses. Where do princesses live? If you should meet a princess, how do you address her? Find out what princesses wear and what they do to have fun. Twirl through the pages of this book and catch up on all the princess fun. Here are some fun writing activities for students or anyone wanting to expand their writing techniques.

Ø Imagine what would have happened to Cinderella if her step-mother and step-sisters had been good to her? Would her fairy god-mother have helped her? Would she have met the prince? Write a new version of Cinderella based on these changes. Draw illustrations to help tell the story.

Ø Imagine a fairy tale princess as a modern girl. Her family has lots of problems and they discuss those problems on a television talk show. Write five questions to ask different members of the family. Write answers to the questions. Students will act out the scene.
Ø Write a newspaper article based on a favorite fairy tale.

Ø Write riddles based on fairy tales and ask classmate the riddles.
Example:
I’m spinning gold, who am I?
I ate a poison apple, who am I?
I wear my hair in a long, long, long braid, who am I?

Ø Create an imaginary character that possesses a magical power. Write a story about the character.

Ø Write an acrostic poem using a character from a fairy tale. Begin each line with a letter from the character’s name. Illustrate the poem.
Example:
S
N
O
W

W
H
I
T
E

Ø Write a diary from the point of view of a fairy tale character. Write an entry for five days or more.

Ø Drama: Students will dress up as their favorite fairy tale character as they present their writing.

Ø Students will dramatize their favorite fairy tale by retelling story with a beginning, middle, and end.

Check out my website, www.nancykellyallen.com for class activities based on each of my books. Core Content included with each set of activities.

Writing Contest Part 2

Today, I’m listing three more contests with no entry fees. Check out the Websites for more information and follow the guidelines. Good luck!

1. Free Short Story Writing Contest "Family Stories"

The short stories could be about your family in the past, your family in the future, an imaginary family, a family of ducks or a family of your friends.

Enter your short story about families in BookRix’s free writing contest “Family Stories” now. The story must relate to families in some way. Tell us your story and share it with other readers to win cash and fame. In addition to the cash prize, the contest winner will receive free proofreading and editing services (of up to 3,000 words), courtesy of Elite Editing.

Timeline:
Community Voting – December 21, 2009 to February 23, 2010
Jury Voting– February 24, 2010 to March 15, 2010 DEADLINE: 02-23-2010.
PRIZES: $1,000.00.
ENTRY FEE: $0.00.

For more details check out http://www.bookrix.com/precontest.html?show=BX_1261137553&sub=1

2. The Bloom Award 2010 is for unpublished authors only. Each year's award will consist of a different genre, age group and imprint. This award WILL result in the offer of a publishing contract for one lucky winner. (Disclaimer:If all parties come to an agreement)

2010 Details

The second Bloom Award will only be open to the following type of manuscript:

* Age Group: Young Adult
* Genre: Light Romance Fiction (However, sex is not appropriate for books at our press. The romance should be along the lines of the stuff found in Life in the Pit.)
* Imprint: "Tire Swing" (our children's/YA paperback imprint)

Submissions begins: May 17, 2010
Submissions Deadline is: October 31, 2010

For more details check out http://www.bloomingtreepress.com/bloomaward.html

3. Sourcebooks is launching a new Young Adult division called Sourcebooks Fire and they’re celebrating for two whole months!
Submissions for the contest will run 2/1/2010 – 2/28/2010.
For more details check out http://yalitchat.ning.com/

This blog is published weekly. If you would like to receive updates, add your email address to the subscription box in the column on the right .

Writing Contests Part 1

Hear ye! Hear ye! The Truth About Princesses, my latest picture book is now available. Ths book is all aout popular fairy tale princesses. Where do princesses live? If you should meet a princess, how do you address her? Find out what princesses wear and what they do to have fun. Twirl through the pages of this book and catch up on all the princess fun.

Teachers, check out Class activities on my website, www.nancykellyallen.com for fun ways to use this book.

Now, on to the writing contests. These have no fees and are legitimate.

1. HIGHLIGHTS 2010 FICTION CONTEST
Fiction based on a true story from your family.
PRIZES:
Three prizes of $1,000 or tuition for the Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop at Chautauqua.
ENTRY DATES:
All entries must be postmarked between January 1 and January 31, 2010.
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 750 words. Stories for beginning readers should not exceed 475 words. Indicate the word count in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of 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 announced on Highlights.com in June 2010. These stories will become the property of Highlights for Children and will be published by Highlights. All other submissions will be considered for purchase by Highlights.
* We're sorry that we cannot consider contest entries from children under the age of 16. Young writers are welcome to submit their work for consideration elsewhere in the magazine. Guidelines are available on HighlightsKids.com.

2. 2010 Breakthrough Novel Award
Amazon.com, along with Penguin Group (USA) and CreateSpace, is pleased to announce the third annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, the international competition seeking the next popular novel. For the first time, the competition will award two grand prizes: one for General Fiction and one for Young Adult Fiction. The 2010 competition will also now be open to novels that have previously been self-published. Each winner will receive a publishing contract with Penguin, which includes a $15,000 advance.
Congratulations to last year's Breakthrough Novel Award winner, James King, whose winning novel, Bill Warrington's Last Chance, will be published by Viking in August 2010. Bill Loehfelm's Fresh Kills, the 2008 winner, is now available in paperback.
The Breakthrough Novel Award brings together talented writers, reviewers, and publishing experts to find and develop new voices in fiction. If you're an author with an unpublished or previously self-published novel waiting to be discovered, visit CreateSpace to learn more about the next Breakthrough Novel Award and sign up for regular updates on the contest. Open submissions for manuscripts will begin on January 25, 2010 through February 7, 2010.
See the official contest rules for more information on how to enter.

Next week, I'll post three more contests. The window of opportunity is short so check the time frame for the entries.Good luck to all.

Writing Goals

- Happy New Year!

The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to set writing goals. Whether you’re a writer or a teacher of writing, or both, goals will keep you focused on the path you choose.

Motivating students to become more involved in the writing process is a goal many teachers have. The key is to plan activities that will capture the interest of students using activities that are fun. In grade three and up, brainstorm with students to create writing projects. If the students are involved in the setting of the goals, they will be more interested in following through.

Here are a few writing goals to consider:

--Make more time for writing. If you're a teacher, make time for more student writing and allow students a platform for presenting their work to others.

--Make an on-going list of all the books you read this year. Reading a variety of books help writers broaden their writing. Read some books you normally would not read. Read a book from a genre you would not normally choose. If you never read biographies, read one you think you’d like. Read biographies of favorite authors to get an inside view of the struggles the author had in getting published.

--Set aside a time every day to write, even if it is only one sentence. Sometimes one sentence is enough to get inspired to write a paragraph or more.

--Set aside time every day to read.

-- Join a critique group. Feedback from other writers will help you improve your writing.

--Of course, reading this blog regularly will help you grow as a writer. In fact, pass the blog along to other writers and teachers of writing.

Make this year a great writing year.

The next two weeks, I’m going to post writing contests that do not require entry fees.