Hi Everyone:  Due to my schedule, I will no longer be posting on this blog.  If you'd like to reach me or hear news of my upcoming books, please check out my website:  www.kathleenduble.com
Thanks, Kathleen Duble

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Stone Soup is a magazine written by kids.  So if you are an aspiring writer, why not take the time to write something wonderful and try and get it published here!!!  In order to have a story considered by the magazine, you must be 13 years of age or younger.  There is a 2500 word maximum but no minimum word count for your story.  And if they decide to publish you, they will pay you $40.  But even better is seeing your work in print.              

You can find all the rules for submitting your work here:  http://www.stonesoup.com/stone-soup-contributor-guideline/

If you are an illustrator, they accept art work for consideration too.  Or if you are just interested
in being a reviewer, they are anxious to find kids willing to do book reviews.

There are lots of ways to get published thanks to Stone Soup.  So why not give it a try?

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 GREAT FIRST LINES:

Who can forget that first great line of Charlotte's Web? 

'"Where's Papa going with that ax?" said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast.'

Immediately, we are intrigued.  Where is Fern's father going?  Why would a father walk around with an ax?  Before breakfast?

Great first lines pull a reader in, make them want to continue reading your work. 

Consider this first line from Belle Prater's Boy by Ruth White:  "Around 5:00a.m. on a warm Sunday morning in October 1953, my Aunt Belle left her bed and vanished from the face of the earth."

Wow, how can you not keep reading this after this opening sentence? 

Or from Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman:  "12th Day of September.  I am commanded to write an account of my days:  I am bit by fleas and plagued by family.  That is all there is to say."

Already, we, as readers, appreciate that our main character, Birdy, is irreverent and has a great sense of humor. 

First sentences are your way as a writer to capture your audience's attention quickly.  So take time when you begin your story.  A great first line may mean the difference between readers who can't wait to read on and ones who quickly put down your work.

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DO YOU LOVE POETRY?  WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR POEM PUBLISHED ONLINE?



THEN CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE:
http://pbskids.org/arthur/games/poetry/write.html



PBS HAS AN ONLINE SITE WHERE YOU CAN WRITE A POEM AND SEE IT INCLUDED IN FERN'S POETRY CLUB.

SO FIND A NICE SPOT, GRAB A PEN, CURL UP AND WRITE A POEM.  THEN SUBMIT IT AND SHOW YOUR FAMILIES YOUR POEM ONLINE!

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KIDS ARE AUTHORS! A PICTURE BOOK CONTEST SPONSORED BY SCHOLASTIC!!!

Calling all aspiring picture book writers!  Scholastic is sponsoring a picture book contest for kids! 

Are you an author and an illustrator?  Then this is the contest for you!  Here is a chance for you to create a book and see it published.

The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2014  - so there's plenty of time for you to get creative.

Guidelines for the contest can be found at:  http://kidsactivities.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=kidsactivities&cdn=parenting&tm=1244&f=10&tt=3&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/contest/kaa_about.asp

Good luck and happy writing!

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MY FAVORITE WORD

On a recent school visit, I was asked a question that I couldn't answer.  This is rather surprising as I am rarely at a loss for words (as my profession and most of my friends will tell you).  But I was stumped at that moment for a response.

It took several days of pondering after I'd left the school to come up with an honest answer.

So what was the question?  - "What is your favorite word?"

Now, as an author, I've been asked frequently about my favorite book, my favorite character, my favorite food, my favorite color and even my favorite school to visit, but never my favorite word.  As a writer - by definition a lover of words - how could I possibly choose just one?  Was that even plausible?  The query haunted me.  I kept thinking of a word and then eliminating it for another word. 

Finally, after a lot of thought, I realized what my favorite word is - WHY.

Why, you may ask, is that my all time preferred word?

Well, first off, the word brings back some lovely memories.  I remember my girls being aged two and following me around like ducklings, the word "why?" tripping off their tongue every time something puzzled them about their emerging world.  I loved that time.  I loved explaining and teaching them.  So in terms of positive association, the word has that going for it.

But more importantly, I realized that as an author, the word "why" basically encapsulates my job.  We must ask ourselves this word at every turn.  Why is our character behaving like this?  Why does this sentence not work?  Why is this chapter moving too slowly?  Why did these events in history occur?  Why are people motivated in a certain fashion?  Why is my story set in this place?

It is a huge part of my job to ask myself "why" all the time as I write and research.  Without asking "why", I would flounder and stagnate as a writer.

And the word "why" provides many amazing answers.  By asking why, an author gets to know her character better.  I get to understand why certain events in the past led to a war or a revolution or crisis of faith.  I edit and cut to a more perfect piece of writing.

So there is my answer to that 2nd grade student.  WHY is my favorite word.

And if you don't agree --- ask yourself why! 

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Creative Kids Magazine is looking for submissions from kids!  Here's what they'll consider:  cartoons, songs, stories between 500 and 1200 words, puzzles, photographs, artwork, games, editorials, poetry, and plays and any other creative works your little mind can think up!  So get to it!  Be creative!  Submit and see your work in a real magazine.  Here's the link:  Creative Kid's Magazine      Have fun!

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The Young Voices Foundation is sponsoring a contest for kids K-12.  Write about whatever touches your heart, revise, edit and proofread and get those submissions in!  First prize is $75.00!  Check out the contest rules at:  http://www.youngvoicesfoundation.org/submissionguidelines.html.  You could be a winner!

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Okay all you student poets!  Sharpen your pencils and put on your thinking caps.  The American Library of Poetry is sponsoring a poetry contest for kids in grades 3-12.  The winner will be announced in September of 2012.  Deadline is April 30, 2012 so you've got lots of time to create a plethora of powerful poems. 

Rules and application forms can be found at http://www.libraryofpoetry.com/student2012.asp/

Good Luck little poets!  

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Are you a person of few but exacting words?  Then poetry might just be your forte!  The Young Voices Foundation is sponsoring a poetry contest for kids of all ages.  The deadline is November 30 and all the contest rules can be found here:  http://www.youngvoicesfoundation.org/poetryguidelines.html

Winners and prizes will be announced 30 days after the close of the contest.
So put on your poet's cap and start scribbling.  (Oh and while you're checking out the guidelines for the contest, click on WIN A BOOK, and enter to win a free book during the month of October!

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Weekly Reader is sponsoring a contest for students in grades 3-6 and 7-12.  If non-fiction is your genre, this is the contest for you!

Just write a non-fiction piece of 500 - 2500 words and submit it to:
http://www.aepweb.org/student/rules.htm by March 18, 2011.    Essays, news stories, memoirs - all are encouraged!  There's plenty of time to make your submission the best it can be.

The winner receives $500 and a round trip ticket for you and a parent to Washington DC to attend an awards luncheon.  And that's not all!  Publication is also included in one of Weekly Reader's magazines or online!

So  non-fiction writers, get writing and get ready for summertime visit to our nation's capital!

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As many of you know, I love using The Mysteries of Harris Burdick as a prop to promote creative writing.  The drawings in that book are so evocative, anyone can think of a good story to accompany them.

Well now, Writer's Digest is running a contest based on a similar theory. They provide the picture (featured here on the right). You provide the story.  (750 words or less)

Deadline:  December 10, 2010
Prize:  Publication in Writer's Digest


So go ahead.  Give the picture here a good look.  Let your mind go and your fingers begin to type.  You have no idea where this open door may lead you!

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Hey Teachers, Budding Writers and Artists:  The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers is now open for submissions!  Want to be recognized by  Scholastic for your talents?  Then this is the contest for you!!!  There are tons of different categories for submissions from digital art to fashion or photography, from novel writing to humor or dramatic scripts.  The possibilities for showcasing your creativity are endless.  And the awards for winning are amazing - a National Award Ceremony at Carnegie Hall, scholarships for summer camps and even colleges, exhibition of your work in New York City and other venues, monetary awards and even publication.  So get those creative juices flowing, convince a teacher to sponsor you and apply now!  And don't forget to check deadlines for your region!  Good luck and many thanks to Scholastic for recognizing the talents of the younger set!

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If you like to daydream, ADVENTURE WRITE FOR KIDS has a contest just for you! They give you your first sentence and then you are free to go wild (as long as you don't go over 1500 words!)

Win publication! Win $50.00! Win a certificate of achievement!

Either way, this is a win/win situation. Free to enter. Lots of time to write your story (your submission isn't due until December 31st). And its only for kids under 19!

So check out this site: http://www.adventurewrite.com/kids/contest.html

Click on the scary totem head, relax, daydream and start writing!
Success might just be one click away!

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WRITE AWAY YOUR SUMMER!

Got some time on your hands this summer? This is the perfect time to work on your writing, without all the hassles of homework, sports and other activities that can crowd a school year. Instead of getting hot by the pool, think about getting hot with your pen and pencil. Creative Communications has a contest that is open to writers of all ages and is free! If chosen, your entry will be published in an anthology. The top ten winners in each grade, receive a $50 savings bond and a free copy of the anthology. So what are you waiting for? Go get your feet wet and start writing!

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Looking for something to do during April vacation week?

Here is a fun contest to enter - not to mention a great writing exercise for all you would be writers out there.

The contest is this: Write a short composition containing the following words: heart, plush, sweet, bear, rhinoceros, silvery, wood. Be careful not to omit any word and don’t forget the title! When you're done, submit your entry to the following website: http://www.revistatus.ro/english/monthly-contest-april-2010.html

If you win, they will make a postcard based on your entry - just like real writers do when they have a new book published! So sharpen your pencils and get writing!

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Have you read M.T. Anderson's fabulous book FEED? How would you like him to chose your book from thousands of entries for publication and award you $250. Well, that is what is being offered to you if you chose to enter the Hunger Mountain Young Writer's Contest. They asked us to pass on the information so here it is:



A Prize for Young Writers
Poetry, Fiction & Creative Nonfiction
Judge: M.T. Anderson
Prize: Publication in Hunger Mountain online
$250 to first place winner in each genre, $100 to runners-up

We are looking for talented high school students to enter poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction in the Hunger Mountain Prize for Young Writers. We accept any form of poetry. Fiction can be experimental or traditional.
Creative nonfiction can be personal essay or mini memoir.

The Judge for the competition is National Book Award Winner and New York Times Bestselling author M.T. Anderson, author of The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation; Burger Wuss; and Feed.

Submissions should be under 8,000 words, double spaced, in Times New Roman font and not stapled. Poets are welcome to enter up to three poems per entry. Manuscripts must be accompanied by an index card with the writer’s name, address, email address, telephone number, as well as the title and genre of the work. The writer’s name should not be on the manuscript itself. Please enclose a $10 entry fee. Postmark submissions by April 30, 2010. We will do our best to notify prize winners in June.

Please send work to the following address:
Hunger Mountain Prize for Young Writers
Hunger Mountain
Vermont College of Fine Arts
36 College St.
Montpelier, VT 05602

For complete guidelines and to learn about past prize winners please visit www.hungermtn.org

So ask Mom and Dad to fork over $10. It's a small price to pay for fame!!!!

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Are you an amazing kid with a vision for the future? Are you a writer or an artist with something to say about your dreams and aspirations? Then you might want to think about entering the amazing kids t-shirt and essay contest. Winners of the t-shirt contest have their design sold at the Zazzle Store. And winners of the essay contest will be published on the Amazing kids online magazine. So go ahead! Draw or write about your future, your dreams, or just how you envision a perfect world! Then enter your submission before May 15th to:
http://amazing-kids.org/contest_lmd09

And remember, each of you are amazing in our own special way!

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Contests are not just for writers! Do you like to draw?
Can you see yourself someday illustrating books for children? Or maybe doing the jacket cover of an a middle grade or adult book? Then this may be the contest for you!

Check out the following website:

http://kidswritethesite.com/artsubmit.html

And while you're at it . . . Enter the goal contest too! It's always fun to come up with a goal - especially at the beginning of a new year!

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Roses and Candy? These are the time honored gifts of Valentine's Day. But why not give a gift a little out of the ordinary and win some money at the same time?

Check out these contests:

Valentines Story
For our Valentines Story Writing Contest we are looking for stories that have Valentines Day playing a clear role in the storyline. Creative approaches welcomed. The winner of this contest will take away a $100 prize.
Deadline: In 2 Days

Valentines Love Poem
Write a poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word. Your love poem can be fictional or non-fictional. It can be humorous or a serious love poem. The choice is yours. $100 prize for the winner of this poetry contest.
Deadline: In 2 Days

Here is the site if you want to enter: http://www.fanstory.com/contests.jsp

So go on! Write something romantic! And give the gift of a story or poem!

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How many of you have seen the Southwest Airlines commercial where something truly awful happens and then they ask "Want to get away?" Well, we have all been in situations like that, and if you could evaporate like the Wicked Witch of the West or disappear like the Invisible Man, we all would have done it. But what if you could win $50 and an autographed book because of it? At least it could ease a bit of the pain.

So . . . how to go about it? By writing, of course! Jot down 300 words on paper describing a time in your life when you had to make a difficult decision between right and wrong and you could be a winner! The contest is ongoing . . . so put paper to pencil. "Want to get away?" - Maybe $50 will help!

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Adults hold writing contests all the time. But what about a kid who holds one for kids? Cool, huh? And what if you could win $100? Even better!

The contest involves writing an essay to answer one of two questions on one of these two books. So if you like to read and write, this may be the contest for you!

Check it out at : http://www.i-newswire.com/seventh-grader-jen-neville-launches/10773

And good luck!

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Hey guys: If you are interested in both writing and science, check out this contest: http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/youngnaturalistawards/submit.html

Here you will be able to fulfill your love of experimentation and writing all in one place. Be sure to read the rules before starting your project (you must be in at least seventh grade to enter). Check out some of the essays that won last year. And most important, have a second pair of eyes review your submission before mailing it out.

Good Luck and may the best scientist or, uh, writer, win!

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One of my very favorite books to use when talking about writing exercises is The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg. These individual pictures with one line of text prompt the writer into creating a story from just that one line! And these pictures are so amazing, they sure can get you thinking! So if you're going to do the exercise anway, why not enter the writing contest on Chris Van Allsburg's site. Here is the address: http://www.chrisvanallsburg.com/writestory.html

If you win, your story will be posted on his site! How great would that be?

The picture for this contest is on the left and the first line reads: "If there was an answer, he'd find it there!" So get your pencils sharpened, your creative juices flowing and enter the contest!

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How would you like to have a piece of your writing preserve by the National Gallery of Writing? The National Council of Teachers is inviting everyone to contribute a piece of their work on October 20th - the National Day of Writing! Don't worry if you have something happening that day and can't find time at your computer to create your masterpiece. The National Gallery of Writing will be accepting contributions through June of next year. So get your butt in the chair and start letting those words flow! And when you're finished, go to http://galleryofwriting.org/contribute.php to join your work with others in the National Gallery of Writing!

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