Introducing the KWEST (Kids Writing Exciting Stories with a Twist) Contest!

​The KWEST contest is now open! I am happy to introduce this new feature on my blog for elementary school students in grades 3-5 that will run periodically (no set schedule for now). This is a nationwide competition for creative writing with a theme, a twist and , of course, PRIZES!

Teachers and librarians will have 30 days from the contest opening date to submit the best entries that they select to send me (see rules for the stories below). Please use the contact form at the bottom of this post and include the following with your submission:

--The student's first name & last name initial
--What grade they are in
--The name of your school
--The city and state

Prizes awarded will be for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. UPDATE: We are adding 4th and 5th place prizes as well! (Check below for the current list.) Speaking of prizes . . . 

Third place will get one of my books of their choice (valued between $10.99-$16.99). Second place prize is a boy or girl Lego set (valued between $15-$20). First prize is a $25 Amazon or Toys R Us gift card (winner's choice)! The three winning stories will be posted on my blog and bragging rights awarded with a special certificate :)

UPDATE: Author and Contest Judge, Jenna Grodzicki, will also donate a copy of one of her books to each of the first three winners!

Are you excited yet? Here are the story crafting rules:

1. Write a short story of no more than 160 words with a title, a beginning, middle and end. (Title not included in the word count.)

2. The story MUST have a twist of some kind (like a surprising ending).

3. The story must be related to the theme announced for each competition.

It's time to announce the theme for this installment . . .  and it is . . . PETS! Any type of pet -- real or imaginary. You can make your story funny, sweet, scary, clever, gross etc. Just remember to have a twist at the end.

Judging will be handled by our panel of professional writers and educators (listed below). Stories will be evaluated based on craft, execution, originality, use of literary devices, and how clever and surprising the twist is.

The contest closes on 2/16 at 11:59 p.m. If you have any questions, please ask me in the comments. There's a PDF file attached with the contest rules for teachers and librarians to print and distribute to students, just add the date you'd like the entries turned in, then submit to me no later than 2/16/18. 

I can't wait to read your submissions. Good luck!

Now, ready? Set! Go!

​*By submitting, you agree to allow me to post the winning story on my website and use excerpts for promotional purposes.

The contest is now closed.
The judges are reading and  evaluating submissions. Results and winners will be posted soon! 

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kwest_contest_form.pdf
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Download File

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Judges Panel:
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Rosie J. Pova
Children's Author
Writing Instructor, Dallas ISD

Rosie is a prolific writer, poet, wife and mother of three. She loves music and ice cream, but more than that, she loves inspiring kids to be their best, follow their dreams and work hard on their passions. Rosie offers fun and educational school visit and would love to meet your students. Please click on the School Visits & Presentations page for more information.
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Jenna Grodzicki
Children's Author and Educator
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Jenna lives in Connecticut with her husband, two crazy awesome kids, a cat named Pixie, and dog named Ozzy. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Boston College and a Master’s in Education from the University of New England. Her first picture book, Pixie’s Adventure, was awarded two Honorable Mentions in the 2017 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards. Her second picture book, Finn Finds a Friend, was released with Clear Fork Publishing in November. She recently traded in her librarian hat to become a full time writer. At all hours of the day (and night) she can be found at her desk, drinking iced coffee and working on her next story. To learn more about Jenna, visit her website at www.jennagrodzicki.com
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Alayne Kay Christian 
Award-Winning Children's Author

Alayne Kay Christian is an award-winning children’s book author. She is the author of the Sienna, the Cowgirl Fairy chapter book series and award-winning picture book Butterfly Kisses for Grandma and Grandpa. Alayneis the creator and teacher of a picture book writing course, Art of Arc.She is a professional picture book and chapter book critique writer. And she is in her third year working as a critique ninja for Julie Hedlund’s 12 X 12. Alayne is a graduate of the Institute for Children’s Literature and she has spent the last ten years studying under some of the top names in children’s literature.

Blog
Art of Arc Picture Book Writing Course
 www.alaynekaychristianauthor.com
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Maria Marshall
Children's Author and Poet

Maria Marshall is a children's author and poet who loves nature and adventure. When not writing, she explores the Pacific Northwest with her family or curls up with her cats and a good book. Her poetry is published in The Best of Today's Little Ditty 2016 and The Best of Today's Little Ditty 2014-15. She reviews books and interviews authors at The Picture Book Buzz 

www.mariacmarshall.com

Encouraging words:

"Everyone has a story inside of them, just write about what you know, what you love, or what fascinates you. I can't wait to read your pets."
​--Maria Marshall

Check out the list of cool prizes!!!