One of my favorite writing exercises is participating in contests! And there are some good ones out there, including:
Susanna Leonard Hill’s Valentiny (February), Halloweensie (October), and Holiday (December) Contests; as well as her “Would you read it?” Wednesday pitch contests
Vivian Kirkfield’s #50PreciousWords (March)
Ciara O’Neal’s #SpringFling (April)
Ed DeCaria’s (March) Madness Poetry Contest (~ June)
Lydia Lukidis’ and Kaitlyn Sanchez’s #FallFrenzy (October)
I own some bragging rights for the following:
October 2022: SENSE THE WAY– Honorable Mention in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Halloweensie contest. https://susannahill.com/2022/10/29/the-12th-annual-halloweensie-writing-contest-aahhhrrrooooooooo/
October 2022: FREDRICKSON FRIGHT — A winner in Lydia Lukidis’ and Kaitlyn Sanchez’s #FallFrenzy writing contest. https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/fallwritingfrenzy-2022-rules/
May 2022: THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS, LES CERISIERS — This story was one of fourteen winners in the #SpringFling contest (~ 300 participants). https://ciaraoneal.weebly.com/spring-fling-kidlit-contest
March 2022: FIFTH GRADE DRAMA – This middle grade story placed Honorable Mention in Vivian Kirkfield’s #50PreciousWords (~ 750 participants). https://viviankirkfield.com/2022/03/20/50preciouswords-2022-winners-and-honorable-mentions/
December 2019: A TRICKSTER’S TREAT — This story won Honorable Mention for “Top of the Naughty List” in Susanna Hill’s Holiday Contest. https://susannahill.com/2019/12/19/the-2019-holiday-contest-winners/
July 2019: #PBChat Mentorship — This opportunity afforded me a three-month picture book writing mentorship with the Australian author, Adam Wallace. http://justincolonbooks.com/2019-mentorship/
April 2019: IF YOU AND I RECYCLE — This story won Honorable Mention in Kaitlyn Sanchez’s “Spring Fling” Contest. https://sites.google.com/view/springflingwritingcontest/main
TRAPPED IN TRASH — The pitch for TRAPPED IN TRASH won Susanna Hill’s January/February 2019 “Would You Read It? Wednesday” pitch contest. https://susannahill.com/2019/05/01/would-you-read-it-wednesday-322-puffcaso-pb-plus-the-february-march-pitch-winner/
February 2019: A SLIPPERY SITUATION – This story won a “Kid Appeal” Prize in Susanna Hill’s “Valentiny” Contest.
March 2019: SQUIRRELING RIVALRY – This story won Honorable Mention in Vivian Kirkfield’s #50PreciousWords Contest.