Hello, wonderful KidLit friends!!
*Please read through everything carefully before entering the contest*
IT’S HERE!!!
The 2nd annual #KidsChoiceKidLitWritingContest is LIVE!
While not at all required for entry, I’m asking that all who enter consider making a donation to help give the 290+ kid judges a THANK YOU GIFT for their time, sacrifices, work, comments, and amazing efforts in judging this event.
This would not be possible without them!!
I’m *hoping* to send each child a book and to support local indie bookstores to do so. But that will depend on the amount of money we receive. Just know that 100% of donations WILL go to getting these awesome kids a gift. What that gift will be just depends on how much money we can raise.
You can donate in two ways. You can make a “purchase” through my shop HERE. The shop requires that I set a dollar amount, so you will see that reflected on that page. I have options for $5, $10, $15, $20, and $25 donations. But again, no amount is too small.
If you would like to donate another amount, or don't want to go through my website, you can Venmo me (@Kailei-Pew).
I can also take donations through PayPal or Zelle, just reach out for that information.
Now… the reason you are here!!!
THE 2ND ANNUAL KIDS’ CHOICE KIDLIT WRITING CONTEST!!!! WOO HOO!!!
If you need to review the rules, go HERE, and then enter through the Google Form linked below. While I hope you will also post your story in the comments below and encourage each other there, you MUST enter through the form this year to be considered by the kid judges.
Also, if you missed it or want a refresher on the awesomeness, you can check out the incredible list of prizes from our amazing donors HERE.
Important dates to note:
January 26th-28th: Contest Form is open
March 3rd (ish): Finalists announced
March 20th (ish) : Winners Announced
Feel free to download this participant badge and post on social media using #KidsChoiceKidLitWritingContest so that we can all chat about the experience and lift each other up! Then comment on THIS TWEET to help us generate buzz and excitement.
After entering (or before), please consider pasting your entry (***or a snippet***) into the comment section below so that everyone can read and comment on your work. Consider adding your social media handles so that other entrants can find and follow you.
You can also post your entry on your own blog or website if you like, but again, you MUST enter officially through the Google Form below.
(***NOTE: If you have a PB entry that you are planning to query/submit as it is, you should ONLY post about 50-60 words as a sample in the comments below. Do post the ENTIRE ENTRY in the Google form, knowing that it will be kept private).
Now... it's time!! Click the button below and GOOD LUCK! I am so grateful to each and every one of you. No matter what happens, please remember that your work is enough. YOU are enough. The world needs your stories. There is room for all of us in this industry and you just have to keep going. I believe in you.
About Kailei Pew
Kailei Pew is a wife, mother, and children's book author represented by the amazing Emily Forney of Bookends Literary.
Upcoming books include:
THE MONSTER ABOVE THE BED (Clarion/Harper, Fall 2023)
I SEE COLOR (With Valerie Bolling, HarperKids, Winter 2024)
KID-VENTORS (F&F/Macmillan, Spring 2024)
Thanks for putting this together! Loved reading the entries and thinking of the student-judges reading them too - how fun. Here's my entry:
The Wishes
MG (200 words)
Jason Peterson
@themeltedcoins
We found the note on the way to school, rolled up inside a glass bottle Marcus threw in the air and let smash to the ground between me and Arden.
He was always doing dumb stuff like that.
But we were his best friends anyway.
The ragged paper stuck out. I picked it up and read its faded words aloud.
TO WHOEVER SEES: YOUR FIRST WISH WILL COME TRUE
Marcus and Arden laughed and walked on – but something stopped me.
“I wish I was a bear.”
I said…
Thank you, Kailei, for organizing this contest!
RUBY’S SUN-SHOWER ROMP
PB (200 words)
[Ruby has Down syndrome]
Storms scared Ruby.
Her heart raced.
Her almond eyes widened, then shut tight, even from distant thunder.
Rumbling or Roaring—Ruby felt uneasy, worried...AFRAID.
Today, rain poured from a sunny sky?!
“A sun-shower! Perfect for puddle-jumping,” exclaimed her brother, Jack.
Ruby’s tongue caught in her throat. She kept her eyes closed.
“B-b-big Boomies?” she stuttered.
“No storms today, Ruby. Look!”
Ruby’s choice—Open her eyes. Investigate. Or, miss out on some fun.
Eyes squeezed tight and face scrunched scared, Ruby turned toward the window...
This is so fun! Loving the other entries! Good luck everyone!
Here's part of:
In the Nick of Time
Word count: 200 PB
Monday. “Hurry! Where’s my hat?
Lunch bag? Homework? Gotta go! Stat!
Bye, Mom! Ciao, Dad! See ya, Gus!”
Nick bolts outside. “Here I am, bus!”
And there it goes, rounding the bend.
“No! Come back!” Nick shouts. “Not again!”
The school bell rings. The kids line up.
The classroom fills, the door swings shut.
Hey! Here’s Nick! Not a moment too soon!
“Made it! In my hot-air balloon!”
His friends scoff. “Yeah, right!” “No way!”
“What a joke!” “Whatever you say!”
(until…)
Nick fills a bowl. “Just feeding my dog!”
The happy pup’s tail wags and sets…
PAYBACKS (MG, 200 words) “Wanna race?” Cam challenges, as the pace clock ticks behind him.
I lower my mirrored goggles. “You’re on.” I’ve never had a problem beating any of the guys. Looks like it's his turn.
“Ready… HUP!”
A deep breath fills my lungs, and I push off the wall. When I break out over the surface, Cam’s nowhere in sight. But by my next breath, he’s next to me, our strokes out of sync. Mine are smooth and steady like the ticking of the pace clock. Cam’s loping stroke is uneven, like a heartbeat. As we approach the flags, our breaths line up, and he uses his precious air before his turn to…
Did he stick his tongue out…
A CASE OF THE SILLIES
by Kristy Roser Nuttall
word count: 199
PB
My shoe is a fishbowl
I'm kissing a spoon
My shirt is on backwards
I think I'm a loon
I'm wearing a chicken
On top of my head
My fingers are purple
My elbow is red
My glove is a diaper
A frog's up my sleeve
And last time I checked
I named my arm Steve
*read the whole story here: www.kristynuttall.com/blog-1/kids-choice-kidlit-writing-contest-2023
Twitter: @kristy_nuttall