Get Your Writing Off Your Computer (Fun Writing Contests and More!)

The best way to improve your writing is to write...and write and write and write!  At some point, however, you need to practice submitting your writing.  Today, I'll share four fun places to do just that!  First, I have a little personal announcement:


I entered the MeeGenius Author Challenge and would love your votes!  The challenge is to write a picture book.  Finalists are chosen by votes and the MeeGenius team.  You can read my entry and vote here!

Now, four fun writing contests that are happening right now!!  And, none of them have an entry fee!  


1 - NaNoWriMo First Line Contest.  You finished your novel, right?  Well, you certainly finished one line!  This fun, not NaNoWriMo-affiliated contest ends December 4th.  All you need is the first line of your new novel.

2 - NaNoWriMo First Chapter Contest.  Yes, two NaNo-related contests...tis the season!  To enter, you need your first NaNo chapter--other projects don't count. Do it soon--the deadline is today!  Visit Scribophile for more details!

3 - Holiday Story Contest.  Hosted by the brilliant Susanna Leonard Hill, this holiday contest hits the blogosphere December 19-22.  Honestly, I'm most excited about this one!  Check out the details here (scroll down past the Thanksgiving Story finalists!).


4 - GE Appliance Giveaway.  Put your blogging skills to the test to win a $5000 appliance from GE!  Your entry is a submitted blog post on one of their five topics.  Visit GE for details before December 30th!

Fun for Children's Writers

This is a fun time of year for children's book writers!  There is so much going on that you might feel like some of these events are birds flocking past you before you before you get a really good look at them!  Here's a few things coming up:

1.  Picture Book Idea Month: November 2011.  PiBoIdMo: 30 picture book ideas in 30 days...sign up before November 3rd!  http://taralazar.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/piboidmo-official-sign-up-starts-today-right-here-right-now/

2.  National Novel Writing Month: November 2011.  NaNoWriMo: Write a novel in a month...get that first draft DONE!  Sign up now!  http://www.nanowrimo.org/

3.  Poetry or Verse Story Writing Contest for Children.  300 words or less.  Deadline: October 31st.  http://www.thechildrenswriter.com/am557/

4.  MeeGenius Author's Challenge.  Deadline: November 1st.  http://www.meegenius.com/challenge/welcome/

5.  Halloweensie Contest hosted by children's author Susanna Leonard Hill on her blog on Halloween!  Check it out at http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2011/10/would-you-read-it-wednesday-13th-pitch.html 

What do you think?  Talk about a busy time of year!  I'm planning on all of these except NaNoWriMo...this year is simply not the time for me!  I hope you have time to check out at least one of them!  Have I missed anything else fun and exciting, especially for picture book writers? 

50 Word Flash Fiction Contest

Yes, you read that right!  Last week this blog reached 100 followers.  To celebrate, I'm hosting a small Flash Fiction Contest!  It's easy, it's fun, and there are prizes!  Here's how it works: 

To Enter:

1.  Write a 50-word (or less) story inspired by this picture:

Photo Credit

2.  Leave a comment on this post with your entry.
3.  Entries must be "Family-Friendly" or, in other words, "G"-rated.
4.  Make sure I have a way to contact you!  If your email is on your blogger profile, great! 
5.  Entries will be accepted until Thursday, September 15th at 6:00 am CST!

Prizes:

1.  Winner will be highlighted in my October's First Friday Blogger post and receive a $5.00 Amazon gift card!
2.  Runner-ups will be highlighted in subsequent First Friday Blogger posts!

What is a First Friday Blogger post?  It's a new meme I'm beginning to share the blogging love and get to know my followers better!  On the first Friday of each month, I will highlight a blogger with interests in the world of children's literature. 

Judging:

Judging is 100% completely subjective.  I will choose my favorite story.  I will also choose the runner-ups, based on which stories I like the best. 

A contest... First Friday Bloggers... I'm very excited!  I can't wait to read your stories!