Author Topic: Highlights Fiction Contest 2013 (Read 4524 times)

JodyJS · « **on:** October 24, 2012, 07:34 AM »

Looks like a fun one this year.

From their website: "Stories for beginning readers in 500 words or fewer. We welcome stories of any genre (mystery, historical fiction, sports, humor, holiday, friendship, etc.) as long as the stories are intended for kids ages 6–8."

I'm thinking these stories would fall between the early reading (starred) stories (on their table of contents), mostly rebuses, and the (diamond) moderate stories. What do you think?

Anyone entering?

More details here: http://www.highlights.com/highlights-fiction-contest

awful waffles · « **Reply #1 on:** October 24, 2012, 09:18 PM »

Thanks for posting the info, Jodi! I'll enter. Anyone else?

eecoburn · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2012, 11:37 AM »

I'm hoping to enter. I haven't given much thought to what their age level requirements mean yet. Good questions, Jodi.

DonnaE · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2012, 12:00 PM »

I am going to go ahead and start this month. That way I'll have plenty of time to revise and send. I have not subbed to the contest in a few years. This will be fun!

Vijaya · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2012, 03:51 PM »

I'm going to enter. I love writing for this age group.
Vijaya

JodyJS · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2012, 06:06 PM »

Yay! Glad to see you all here.

LAC · « **Reply #6 on:** October 26, 2012, 05:21 PM »

Do you think we can submit more than once?
Laura

JodyJS · « **Reply #7 on:** October 26, 2012, 05:41 PM »

I don't see that it says you can't, so I'd go for it, Laura.

RuthD · « **Reply #8 on:** October 26, 2012, 07:04 PM »

In past years, it's been fine to submit more than one entry.

carrots · « **Reply #9 on:** October 27, 2012, 03:33 PM »

Thanks for the information, Jody! I'm so glad to see it open to any topic, too. Count me in!

stacebee · « **Reply #10 on:** October 27, 2012, 06:12 PM »

Thanks for posting Jodi !

bj · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2012, 03:03 PM »

I'm thinking of entering as well.

Jody - I was wondering about the age group parameters as well. Have to think about that a little more before I begin.

Sue KC · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2012, 03:13 PM »

Thanks for the reminder to get going on that, Jody! (And the encouragement to get on the blue boards!)

Good luck, everybody!

JodyJS · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2012, 05:38 PM »

BJ - Assuming the easier/younger reader stories they currently publish are what they're looking for in the contest, then I'm thinking contractions are okay (they wouldn't be in true beginning readers). What do you think? Any other characteristics, besides subject matter that's appropriate for 6-8 year-olds, make you think "beginning reader?" Maybe a kindergarten/first grade teacher could weigh in (though an 8 year-old might be in second grade!).

Sue KC - WELCOME TO THE BLUEBOARDS!

Stephanie Leeth · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2012, 05:51 PM »

Hmmm. I have a pb ms that I've been told is more likely a story for a magazine. I bet I couild rework that and submit it.

JodyJS · « **Reply #15 on:** November 12, 2012, 08:24 PM »

Might as well, Stephanie. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

bj · « **Reply #16 on:** November 19, 2012, 03:22 PM »

Jody - thanks for your thoughts on the age group writing parameters. I'm still trying to get my head around that aspect, although I do have a subject in mind.

awful waffles · « **Reply #17 on:** December 16, 2012, 02:57 PM »

I recently entered a holiday story contest and ended up with a story I think is pretty good. It has appeared on my blog and the blog of the author holding the contest. Is that considered published, and does that disqualify me from sending it on as an entry in the Highlights contest? How about if I change it a bit?

JodyJS · « **Reply #18 on:** December 16, 2012, 03:38 PM »

Good question, Awful Waffles. I'm sorry I don't know the answer to that. Could you change it more than just a little bit, so that it really is a new story?

awful waffles · « **Reply #19 on:** December 19, 2012, 08:53 PM »

Thanks, Jody--just to play it safe, I'll enter a different one.

JodyJS · « **Reply #20 on:** December 31, 2012, 08:06 AM »

Bumping this up. You can send your entries tomorrow!

By the way, I'm happy to swap critiques, if anyone wants a second look.

Good luck!

KatyD · « **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2012, 10:21 AM »

I have something I'm planning to sub this year as well. Good luck everyone!

Audrey · « **Reply #22 on:** December 31, 2012, 10:36 AM »

Thanks for the reminder Jody

poet · « **Reply #23 on:** December 31, 2012, 03:18 PM »

I plan on entering as well, which means I better get hopping! Good luck, all!

Bobi Martin · « **Reply #24 on:** December 31, 2012, 03:48 PM »

Thanks for bumping this, Jody! RE: the contraction question-- I don't think a little contraction use would disqualify an otherwise strong story. But I checked Children's Writer's Word Book and it shows some simple contractions such as "we're" and "we'll" as being at the first grade reading level. So I think you'd be okay using a few contractions.

JodyJS · « **Reply #25 on:** December 31, 2012, 04:48 PM »

Thanks, Bobi. I love that book!

tbone · « **Reply #26 on:** January 04, 2013, 03:20 PM »

I'm mailing my entry today. Good luck to us all! I know I'll enjoy the company once the agonizing wait begins.

JodyJS · « **Reply #27 on:** January 04, 2013, 04:07 PM »

Good luck, tbone!

Bobi Martin · « **Reply #28 on:** January 04, 2013, 10:52 PM »

Quote from: awful waffles on December 19, 2012, 08:53 PM

Thanks, Jody--just to play it safe, I'll enter a different one.

You're wise to send something else for the contest.

Even though the story didn't appear on paper and even if you didn't get paid, the story was published online in the truest sense. But, all is not lost.

You could sub the story (just not for the contest) to Highlights and in your cover letter you could say that while the story appeared on two blogs, it has not been published in a children's ezine or in a print magazine.

JodyJS · « **Reply #29 on:** January 20, 2013, 04:18 PM »

Only 11 days left to send in your entry (must be postmarked by the 31st)! Go, blueboarders!

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Author Topic: Highlights Fiction Contest 2013 (Read 4524 times)