Hello Everyone,
Here's some news for all the writers out there of "diverse" backgrounds: We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) is sponsoring a short story contest!
Here are the particulars:
WNDB is sponsoring an anthology in memory of Walter Dean Myers, inspired by his quote: “Once I began to read, I began to exist.” Every new story contribution to this anthology will be by a diverse author.
Phoebe Yeh, VP/Publisher of Crown Books for Young Readers/Random House, has acquired publication rights to the Middle Grade WNDB Anthology, working title “Stories For All Of Us.” Ellen Oh, President of WNDB, will edit the anthology, which will have a January 2017 release date. Contributing authors include: Kwame Alexander, Sherman Alexie, Soman Chainani, Matt de la Pena, Tim Federle, Grace Lin, Meg Medina, Walter Dean Myers, Rachel Renee Russell, and Jacqueline Woodson.
General Rules
• Entries will be accepted after 9:00AM EST on April 27th until 5:00PM EST on May 8th, 2015. Any submission made prior to or after the entry period will not be considered.
• Entry is free.
• Winner will be announced on June 15, 2015.
Short Story Rules
• All submissions (short story or illustrated story) must be in English and never before published in any medium, print or digital.
• Word limit - 5000 words or less.
• Appropriate for a middle grade audience, ages 8 to 12.
Eligibility
• Open to diverse writers from all diverse backgrounds (as defined above). Applicants must include this information in their bio.
• Open to diverse writers who have not been published in a traditional print fiction book format, including self-pubbed, independents, small and medium publishing houses, in all genres whether for the children’s or adult market.
• EXCEPTION – Short story publication credit in a magazine, literary journal, or periodical will not disqualify the applicant.
Prizes
• First prize winner will receive an award of $1000 plus their entry will be published as part of the WNDB Anthology to be released by Crown Books for Young Readers/Random House Children’s Books in January 2017.
• Two runner-up winners will receive honorable mentions and awards of $250 each
THERE ARE MANY MORE SPECIFIC RULES. We encourage you to do your homework and study the complete rules and regulations at this link:
http://weneeddiversebooks.org/short-story-contest/
Best wishes and happy writing,
Rita Lorriane
