A few months ago, Vicki Browne, the teen librarian with the Ann Arbor District Library, wrote to ask whether I might participate in the "It's All Write!" Short Story Contest, a project her library has, together with the Ann Arbor Book Festival, sponsored for the last 20 years. According to the web site, more than 1,500 entries from young writers all around the world have been received for the contest over the years. This year, 350 stories arrived.
Winners of "It's All Write!" are compensated handsomely—with cash rewards, with publication in a booklet, and with an awards program that will be held, this year, on May 12th. But perhaps most importantly of all, the winners know that they have been carefully read by judges who have invested their own lives in stories and words. This year I join a remarkable slate of individuals in the judging process, and I am honored. It is my hope that those young writers who read this blog will pay close attention to this program and start thinking about possibilities for next year's contest.
Natalie BakopoulosThe Green Shore, Natalie’s debut novel is set inAthens and Paris, against the backdrop of the Greek military dictatorshipand centered around four memorablecharacters. She received her MFAin Fiction from the University of Michigan. She was also recognized as a 2010 PEN/O. Henry Award-winningauthor.Judith Ortiz CoferCritically acclaimed and widely published poet, novelist, andessayist Judith Ortiz Cofer’s latest book, If I Could Fly,tells the story of 15 year old Doris, who learns that ‘she might have to fly far distancesbefore she finds out where she belongs. Judith writes extensively about the experience of being Puerto Rican andher identity as a woman and writer in the U.S. Currently she is teaching literature and creative writing atthe University of Georgia.Kelly Milner Halls1 Comments on Judging Teen Stories with a Remarkable Cast for the "It's All Write" Contest, last added: 4/17/2012Display Comments Add a Comment
I hope you have a great time!