A to Z: Young Adult & other Children's Fiction Contests

OUNG ADULT & 

OTHER FICTION CONTESTS

AGE LEVELS
Young Adult books are defined as targeting ages 12-18. The genres covered in this are basically the same as adult fiction. The main difference is that the main characters are preteens or teens dealing with teen issues.

Middle Grade books target 8-12 year old readers.

Picture books and Chapter books are for the lower reading levels and are actually more challenging for most writers because of the word limits you have to write within.


CONTEST BENEFITS
There are contests all over the internet. Sorting through them can prove a daunting task. The rewards can compensate for that many times over.

Winning contests provide visibility, acknowledgement, accolades, bragging rights and they look great on a list of credentials. Even mentions in contests can advance your writing goals. Having the rights to claim "award winning author" status goes a long way with readers, even if they're not familiar with the specific contests.

In my research, I've discovered that the majority of the contests out there have spring time deadlines. With that in mind, I looked for annual contests.


Some contests that you can enter that have no entry fees:

Writers of the Future - There are no fees to enter and it's a quarterly contest. Awards are in 3 month segments as well as an annual award. This is for new writers. This quarter's deadline is 6/30.

Highlights Fiction Contest - This is closed for this year (the deadline has passed). But it is one I plan to keep an eye on. The winners are purchased and published in the magazine. They have an additional way for children to contribute to the magazine, but their rules are different. Kids' submission guidelines are HERE. One of the nice things is, you don't have to wait for next year's contest to submit work to the magazine. (Contributor guidelines)

We Need Diverse Books - Short Story contest ... This one has passed already for this year, but I'm making note of it to plan on entering next year. Stories target MG level.




Best of luck to all of you who enter any contests.

Today's choices in blogs. 

1. Holly Lisle blog - She seems to have some great posts and her site has some amazing writing resources. 
2. Creative Genius 101 - I like the resources. 
3. Writing Career - A nice supply of contest and submission links. 

A to Z: X Marks the Spot

MARKS THE SPOT



Setting goals and reaching them is the most basic and often most challenging concept for many writers. You want to push yourself, challenge yourself, but you don't want to take on so much that you get overwhelmed and burn out.

This balancing act is difficult, but not impossible.

What do you want to accomplish with your writing? Are you doing it for therapy? Out of boredom? Do you have a story just bursting to come out? Perhaps you have always wanted to have a book in your hands to say you did it. Do you want to be an award winning author? Do you want to be a best seller? Do you want to be a better writer? Or is it just something you were told you have to do by a teacher, boss, or parent?

Whatever your goals may be, and you can have more than one, keep that goal in mind. If you find yourself doing something or faced with a decision, think about where it will lead you. Will it lead you closer to your goal or farther away?

Is it okay to change your goal? Of course! It's your goal. As you travel through life and have your own experiences, you should learn and grow. This sometimes changes the light on our priorities and goals in life. However, you - and you alone - must decide if your goals are different or if what you face is an obstacle.

Others can influence you, point out things you may not have considered or simply didn't want to face, but ultimately the choice is yours. They are still your goals.

I find that the more I write, the more refined my skills and the more defined my goals become. I've been writing since before kindergarten, but when I began to seriously pursue writing my goal was to have a book in my hand... to say,"Look at this. I made this."

Well, I now have 19 books and have contributed to magazines as well as charity anthologies. My goal to HAVE a book has been fulfilled. So, I set a new goal. Now, I want to be an award winning, best seller that people love to read.

In order to do this, I have to ask myself, "Do I write award winning books?" I have to admit that not all my work would win awards. I do feel that I have the potential and that some of my books could. The next phase in this goal is to find the right awards and enter contests.

Today's blog choices happen to be the following blogs:

1. Terrible Minds - a blog full of support for writers with goals. It focuses on NaNoWriMo, but can apply to just about any writing goal.
2. Novel Publicity blog - great resources, info, and tips.
3. Write Now Coach - Helpful info to improve your writing. 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway today. 









And check out some of my goals to 
support children's literacy.

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A to Z: Win With Words

IN WITH WORDS

There are so many words in the English language. All of them come from a combination of 26 letters. The power behind those combinations is immense. One of the most powerful words is also one of the smallest.

IF

We use it quite often. Many times we use it with regrets, but it can also be used with hopes and dreams -- things we're proud of too. 

If I hadn't started writing, I wouldn't have done many of the things I've done.

If is one of the words that changes, or rather points out the changes, in everything. All of the possibilities. Those endless, infinite possibilities.

One of my favorite books of all times is the thesaurus. It's an amazing book that helps you discover new ways to say the same thing. To expand upon, to clarify, to enhance.

Words are power.

You don't have to agree with the subject matter in everything to see the influence and strength the words used hold. 

The key is to write them. We don't need to fear the power. We need to embrace it -- use it for our betterment and for the betterment of others. Writing them is just a matter of one letter at a time. You can scratch them out, you can move them around, you can show them to others, or you can keep them to yourself.

Whatever you choose to do with your words, just make a point of writing them. Put them down on: 

• notebook paper
• napkins
• envelopes
• calendars
• paper plates
• white boards
• chalk boards
• the wall (if it won't get you in trouble)
• a computer
• canvas
• anywhere that's available and allowed... Not condoning illegal activity! heeheehee

If we don't write our words, we can't read our words... and words are meant to be spoken, written, and read. Don't take for granted your ability and understanding of the written word. So many people don't have the luxury you do. (see my post on illiteracy)

Today's blogs help share the power and wonder that the words hold.

1. Patheos Blogs - a wonderful collection of Pagan blogs with many channels: Pagan & Christian.
2. Learner Blog - This blog isn't active any more, but there is a lot of information to glean.
3. Writing Skills Blog - a great site with lots of information that will help your writing.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

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