March is KidLit Contest Season!

If you’re a KidLit author, March is the month! Dust off those notepads! Wiggle those fingers! Write! Revise! Critique! Revise! Revise, and Revise! Be sure to follow all directions, and throw your story in the pot! See if it catches the eye of that coveted agent or publisher. Many of us are gearing up by working more hours than the norm, hoping this is Our Year.

There are so many contests. I am not an expert by any means. These are the three I will attempt.

50 Precious Words by Vivian Kirkfield is due March 2. Can you write a complete story with a beginning, middle, and an end in 50 words? This is a great exercise for those of us who write picture books since every word is precious. Vivian is also one of my favorite authors and a pretty incredible person who gives back time and time again.

PB Party, sponsored by the most warmly welcoming and extremely knowledgeable hostess, Mindy Alyse Weiss, is for any unagented picture book writer. These entries are due on March 17. The entry is more involved than 50 Precious Words,but this contest has been known to give writers and illustrators their first shot at an agent or a publishing contract. There is a lot of support from Mindy for this contest. This is a biggie in Picture Book World. I am still asking my writing peeps which of my manuscripts they think would shine the brightest.

Lastly, I will try a more difficult arena. SCBWI sponsors the Karen Cushman Late Bloomer award for an unpublished author over age 50. This dovetails with the Work in Progress Award. These are open for all levels of children’s authors from board books to Young Adult. These entries are due in March.

I wish all aspiring authors out there in Kid Lit World the best of luck!