If you’re a children’s writer interested in story contests, listen up.
Take Part, the digital division and social action network of film production company Participant Media, is sponsoring a contest for children’s writers in conjunction with Participant’s release of the highly anticipated movie The Help, opening in theaters August 10, 2011. The Help, based on the book by Kathryn Stockett, depicts the lives of early 1960s Mississippi maids, who use storytelling to inspire and empower themselves and others. In that same spirit, Take Part’s contest asks writers to submit a story that includes a message with positive values.
The children’s story contest is the second challenge of a three-part series inspired by The Help. The series will wrap up with an “Interview Someone Who Inspires You” challenge, beginning August 22, 2011. Lou Berger, children’s author and former Head Writer for the popular children’s television series Sesame Street, will judge the children’s story contest entries.
Children’s Story Contest Rules
So what’ll it take to write a winning story? Basically, Mr. Berger will look for ”creativity, design, and consistency with the challenge of writing a children’s story that teaches positive values” that are consistent with the sponsor’s values. But all entries must first adhere to the contest’s rules to be considered. The official rules include:
- writers must be 18 years of age or older and residents of the United States
- writers may not be employees or relatives of employees of Take Part or its affiliates
- entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 15, 2011
- stories must be 400 words or less, with no artwork
- stories must teach positive values
- stories must be an original work created by the contest entrant
For the full set of rules, see The Help Children’s Story Official Rules.
Prize for Winning Take Part’s Children’s Story Contest
Writers hoping for an upfront cash prize for winning the contest may be disappointed. The winner will instead have his or her story professionally illustrated and made available to the public as an ebook. According to the official contest rules, however, the approximate retail value of the prize is $2,500. The winning entry may also be featured on Take Part’s contest website and syndicated across third-party websites.
If you think you have a story to tell that fits Take Part’s contest criteria, why not give it a shot? You may discover that you can inspire others just like the maids in The Help did – and perhaps even change a child’s life.
If Take Part’s current story contest isn’t right for you, check back on the company’s website later for new challenges.
For another exciting story contest for aspiring children’s authors, see The Cheerios New Author Award for Unpublished Children’s Writers.
Susie Yakowicz - Susie Yakowicz is a Minnesota freelance writer whose work has appeared in dozens of publications for children and adults.
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