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This June illustration was sent in by Amalia Hoffman. It looks like another character fell down the rabbit hole. Amalia was featured on Illustrator Saturday September 9, 2010. Here is the link: http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/illustrator-saturday-amalia-hoffman/. You can also visit her site at: www.amaliahoffman.com 

Do you write picture books? Can you edit to tell your story in 150 words or less? If so, this Contest put on by Children’s Writer® might be right up your alley.  It does cost $15 to enter, but the fee will also pay for an introductory eight-month subscription to Children’s Writer, a monthly 12-page+ emailed digital newsletter that’s dedicated to keeping you up-to-date on children’s writing.

The contest is for fiction about exploration for kindergarteners up to 150 words. The story should be appropriate to children 5 to 7 learning to read on their own. The theme of exploration could be set at home, down the block, at school, on vacation, in books: Use your imagination! The story should be fun, colorful, use well-targeted words, and have special interest for the age group. Do not write too high for this readership. Know what a five or seven-year-old can and cannot read. Originality and the overall quality of writing will also be considered. Publishability is the ultimate criterion.

There are five cash prizes: $500 for the top winner, $250 for second place, and $100 for third, fourth, and fifth places.

Entry Fee: $15

Entries must be received by July 12, 2013.

Good luck!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

Today, I have something special to share with all you teachers, parents, and librarians who are also children’s writers (or aspiring children’s writers). Wandy Yeap Hoh, the founder and Co-CEO of MeeGenius!, is a mother of three girls, and they love a good story and MeeGenius! Wandy believes that no great story should be left in the dark and hopes to bring every great story to all the children in the world.

She’s a woman I can get behind! If you haven’t heard of MeeGenius!, and I’ll admit I hadn’t until recently, here’s some information about this cool company:

MeeGenius is an e-bookstore just for kids! MeeGenius books feature read-along technology, engaging narration, and a growing catalog of award-winning titles. You can learn more about MeeGenius by downloading the free app from the Apple app store, Android app store, Google TV, Google Chrome, or by visiting www.meegenius.com. Happy Reading!

Margo: Welcome to Read These Books and Use Them, Wandy! Tell me a little about MeeGenius! What type of products do you offer for children and their parents?

Wandy: Thank you for the opportunity, Margo! I am excited to share more about MeeGenius. MeeGenius offers enhanced children’s e-books through our website, Google TV, Google Chrome, Android app store, and Apple app store. All of our e-books are for children ages 0-8 and feature word highlighting, engaging narration, and vivid illustrations to draw a child in. Our bookstore is growing weekly, and we currently offer more then 150 titles for kids and their parents to pick from.

Margo: I was very impressed when I tried some of the free classics! I am hosting you today, so you can share a very special contest with my readers. What is the contest you are offering and when does it start/end?

Wandy: We are very excited about our new author contest! The contest gives aspiring authors an opportunity to have their manuscript read, reviewed, and voted on by the online community. The contest is for unpublished authors only, and our goal is to provide an avenue for these authors to get discovered. The contest begins on September 15th and will end November 1. All manuscripts will be voted on from November 28th – December 18th. The finalist will be announced and then illustrated for the finalist round of voting. The contest will officially end with the winner announced on March 7, 2012.

Margo: What are the prizes for the contest?

Wandy: We are very excited about the prizes! The grand prize winner will receive a digital publishing contract with MeeGenius, including royalties for each book sold. A cash prize of $1,500 dollars and a donation of a MeeGenius library to the school of the winner’s choice! We will also have three runner-up prizes, which include a $500 cash prize and publishing contract.

Margo: I love that prize of a donation to a school. Schools are always in need of new technology and books! Who are the judges?

Wandy: This is the cool part of the contest; the judges are your peers, family, friends, fans, and MeeGenius users! All manuscripts will be posted on the MeeGenius site; the manuscripts with the most “like” (Facebook like button) will advance to the finalist round. The second way to advance will be through a staff favorite pick.

This seems WAY too easy to just announce who won. I mean, if I just tell you, where's the suspense? Where's the fluttery-feeling in your stomach? Where's the nail-biting moment before the big reveal? Continue reading →

Hi folks: Just found a cool website that allows you to write your own picture books by using an illustrator's artwork as the prompts. Storybird Weekly competitions and prizes. This week my picture book, The Dreamweaver, is a semi finalist. I'd appreciate your votes. Thanks, Gayle