Writing Contests---Where Can They Take You?

You never know where a contest story will take you. You don't actually have to win first, second, or even third place, to "win" in a different way.

Years ago I entered a Highlights 500-word beginning reader fiction contest.
Kitten's Climb didn't win, but an editor thought it was delightful, and choose to publish it.

Several years later I was surprised to receive a letter and another check from Highlights. They paid me again for the story when Harcourt Trophies purchased it for a reading comprehension booklet to be used in elementary schools across the country.

Today Kitten's Climb is accessible online. Click the link at the end of this post. I LOVE the mother Robin's attitude, and Kitten's final assessment of the whole ordeal.

Here's another plus---the reading assessment booklet is listed on my publishing bio along with the link so editors can read a sample of my work for this particular age group. Cool.

Here's the information on the Highlights contest YOU are thinking about entering:
* Theme - fiction based on a true story from your family.
* You must be at least 16 years old.
* Word count may be up to 750 words for ages 6 to 14. For beginning readers, word
count cannot exceed 475.
* They do not want to see violence, crime, or derogatory humor.
* Put the word count at in the upper right-hand corner of the first page.
* Entries must be postmarked between January 1, 2010 and January 31, 2010.
* Send your entry with a SASE to: Fiction contest, Highlights for Children, 803
Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431.
[ www.highlights.com/highlights-fiction-contest ]

Three winners will be chosen, published in Highlights, and given their choice of a $1,000 cash prize, or tuition to the Highlights Chautauqua writing workshop!

Winners will be announced on their website in June 2010.
So, what are you waiting for? You never know where a magazine story will take you. One of my stories from Clubhouse Jr. Magazine became a picture book!

I'll always be glad
Kitten's Climb became a winning story in more ways than one.

Don't forget to click the link to read Kitten's Climb

http://www.highlightskids.com/stories/fiction/f0497_kittens.asp