Can you finish a story by an Usborne author?
I have also been quite busy applying for jobs so apologies for the gap between posts. I've had another rejection, a basic slip, came back very quickly, and the envelope had got chewed up in the post. Was a bit disappointed as the agency's requirements ask for the first 50-100 words with a footer, which took a bit of time sorting. Oh well.
I have just received the new programme for this year's Bath Festival of Children's Literature. Inside there is the usual fantastic list of visiting authors (perhaps I'll get to go this time, so far I've always had diary clashes!) and there is mention of two competitions that I thought I'd pass on.
The first is by Bloomsbury, the publisher of the Harry Potter books. It is called 247tales.com and is for young writers aged between 8 and 16 resident in the UK.
The challenge is to write a story in 247 words or fewer. Each month a Bloomsbury author sets a theme and writes their own 247 story - then its your turn.
This month's deadline has just passed it was about The Web and the author was Gemma Malley author of The Declaration, a book I would like to read. The winner will be posted on Wednesday so they may change to the next theme then too.
One winner is chosen each month and they receive £75 worth of Bloomsbury books and have their 247tale featured on this website. Ten runners-up will get a signed copy of the latest book from that month's featured author, as well as links to their stories.
You can email your story (only one per month) via the website www.247tales.com or post it to: 247tales competition, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 36 Soho Square, London W1D 3QY.
Include your name, age, address and a contact number or email address on your entry.
The second competition is the Usborne Young Writers' Award 2009 and challenges youngsters to finish stories by five authors. The publishers are celebrating five years of Usborne Fabulous Fiction, by offering UK writers up to the age of 14, the chance to write a story with a real author.
The lucky winners will receive a trip to Usborne House in London to meet all five authors, plus lots of other great prizes including £100 worth of FREE Usborne books and an author event at your school.
The competition is open to UK children up to and including the age of 14 on 23rd October 2009, which is the deadline for the competition. Stories must be completed in no more than 1000 words (excluding the story starter).
To enter write the story-starter author's name on your story, then send it to Usborne Young Writers' Award, Usborne Publishing, 83-85 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8RT or email it to [email protected]
Find the stories, full rules and lots of tips at http://www.usborne.co.uk/features/young_writers_award.asp
By the way some people seem to have had problems with posting comments. I have now realised they sometimes go into spam and are automatically deleted, so I will double check there from now on.
I have also been asked about following this blog, there is no need to register.