Writing Contest for Teens–Opportunity

JONATHAN FRIESEN WRITING CONTEST
http://www.jonathanfriesen.com/contest.html
—
Write a short story about a character who discovers, through
a personal journey, who he/she truly is. The contest is open
to young writers of all genres. Entrants will compete in one
of two age categories. Deadline October 31, 2008.

Category A – Ages fifteen and younger
Category B – Ages sixteen to twenty

Prizes – Category A  (Age 15 and Under):
First Prize: $1,000, four months of personal writing coaching
from author Jonathan Friesen or a video book trailer made for
your story, your story published on the web site. You’ll have
the opportunity to record your story at a professional recording
studio and will receive the audio file for promotion on MySpace
or anywhere else you choose. Stories must be original,
unpublished, unsold and no more than 3,000 words in length.

Second Prize:  $200 Cash Award
Third Prize:  $100 Cash Award

Prizes – Category B (Age 16-20):
First Prize: $1,000, four months of personal writing coaching
from author Jonathan Friesen or a video book trailer made for
your story, your story published on the web site, your story
read and critiqued by a talented literary agent from the Knight
Literary agency. You’ll have the opportunity to record your
story at a professional recording studio and will receive the
audio file for promotion on MySpace or anywhere else you choose.

Second Prize:  $200 Cash Award
Third Prize:  $100 Cash Award

“I Believe” Feature Story on Sniplits

My story for tweens, “I Believe” is one of the Feature Stories on Sniplits this week. It can be downloaded for only 88 cents! What a bargain!

The story tells of twelve-year old Samanatha has always believed in dragons, unicorns and fairies, but when her history teacher tells her she is too old and must put away her childhish ideas, Samanatha must find the courage to stand up for her beliefs.

Writing the story was a great experience, but then having it published as an audio story was unexpected and perfect!

Enjoy!

Writing Picture Books

Many people who want to write for children express an interest in writing the picture book.

Darcy Pattison is posting a thirty-day series on tips about writing the picture book which is a very worthwhile read. She is covering all the basics from the types of picture books to the craft of writing.

Also, if you are an educator and want to earn clock hours or credits, I offer a “Writing the Picture Book Class” through Seattle Pacific Spiral program for five credits.

Teachers are Writers Too: Writing the Picture Book (5 Credits)

This course offers secondary teachers an opportunity to learn the craft of writing a picture book. The course focuses on teachers as writers; however, educators will find the lessons very applicable to the teaching of writing. The course focuses on learning to identify three types of picture books: Storybook, Concept, and Informational Picture book while exploring writing techniques used in picture books such as; character, structure, and the use of poetic language. Participants will write their own picture book but do not need to be an artist! This course looks at writing the text of picture books.