# 50 Precious Words Contest Run by Vivian Kirkfield and Haunted States Contest

After years of entering children's writing contests, I finally placed in one! Yes, I placed 35th in the # 50 Precious Words Contest. Prizes will be awarded to the best 51 entries. The prizes look awesome, which include professional critiques from editors, agents or published writers, spots in a number of children's writing classes or seminars, Zoom sessions with writing professionals and author-signed books. I won't know what my prize will be until they distribute the first 34 prizes. I'm hoping for a critique from an editor or an agent.

On another writing matter, my NF story about the Mark Twain House Haunting, which I wrote for the Haunted States Writing Contest run by SCBWI (rejected by the judges back in January), was published this week in Paranormal Underground Magazine. I actually got paid for it and will receive copies of the magazine too.

Ken

TARA LAZAR'S 2021 STORYSTORM CHALLENGE HAS CONCLUDED!

 

 

 

I had the pleasure of participating in this year's Storystorm. I was able to generate 32 story ideas with the help of all those great author posts that Tara lined up. I have been drawing on previous Storystorm lists for quite a while now. I was even able to mash up two ideas, one from 2017 and the other from 2019! I hope everyone had a great time. Now all participants that met the challenge requirements get to play the waiting game to see if they will win one of my many prizes offered. I commented once on all posts so I should be in the running for all the prizes. My fingers are crossed. Good luck to all and many thanks to Tara and all the guest hosts that wrote inspirational posts for the month, including my former critique partner, Margaret Chiu Greanias!

Ken

Welcoming Another Two New Members to WFK

I'd like to welcome two new members to Writers For Kids, an online picture book critique group I started back in 2013. With some recent changeover, two spots opened up and we are pleased to welcome Kimberly and Sophie to our small group.

Kimberly is a writer from Malaysia. She has a legal background and worked as a media lawyer. In the past, she has entered international writing and poetry contests and gained some recognition. She now does freelance content writing for local publications and other organizations. She co-authored a picture book expected to be published in 2021. This picture book is related to a Malaysian parenting website she writes for.

Sophie is an artist from Ohio that used to write a regular column in It's A Rat's World magazine and was a staff comic artist with the University of Hawaii at Manoa student newspaper, Ka Leo. She has  written and illustrated some draft picture books. She has been a member of several writing groups in the past, but this is her first group specifically aimed at children's book writing. 

Both Kimberly and Sophie bring some unique skills to the group. We look forward to working with them.

P.S. It has come to my attention that Kimberly has been signed by a agent. Congratulations!

Tara Lazar's 2021 Storystorm Event-January 1-31

 

 

I signed up to participate in the 2021 Storystorm event several days ago. I'm in the process of catching up since I was a bit late starting. This event tasks you with coming up with one story idea for each day in January. There are prizes you can win by commenting once on each daily post from guest writers.

I have yet to win a prize, but I'm going to continue to participate because it really nudges you to come up with ideas. Each idea isn't necessarily going to be great, but the process is great for the creative mind. Maybe this will be my year to win a prize.

Registration just ended about 30 minutes ago. Good luck to all participants!

 

Ken

Halloween Masks- Halloweensie Contest

 

                                                            Word Count: 99

                             HALLOWEEN MASKS

 

 

                                    By Ken Major

 

 

“Look what I bought for my Halloween costume for tonight, Mom!”

 

“What is it?” asked Mom.

 

“It’s a nurse’s costume with a special safety mask with skeleton bones. It’s my way of thanking all frontline workers in the pandemic,” said Rachel.

 

“That’s a great idea!” said Mom.

 

“The mask says, EVERYONE PLEASE WEAR A MASK. IT SAVES LIVES!”

 

“I wish everyone took this to heart and did what the health experts are saying,” said Mom.

 

“I think it’s creepy when the president mocks people that wear masks?” said Rachel.

 

“I agree. Let’s all do our part to save lives.”

UNIQUE WRITING OPPORTUNITY FOR SCBWI MEMBERS- THE HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA

I recently received an email from SCBWI about a chance to get a story published in a proposed trade book about haunting issues in the USA. SCBWI members are tasked with writing a scary story associated with the state they either live in or have a connection to. The unfortunate thing is that only one story from each state/district/commonwealth will get published in the book. The fifty states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia makes 52 chances for SCBWI members to get published though!

I have been researching several haunting stories in Connecticut, trying to decide which topic to write about. The story can be up to 1300 words, must be written for middle graders, inspired by a local/regional event or myth and written by someone with a connection to that state/district/commonwealth.

I have encouraged my fellow critique partners to enter the challenge. We have writers in the group from all over the United States. I started one draft story so far, but I'm uncertain about whether or not this story will end up being my entry.

The deadline to submit your entry is December 1, 2020. You need to use an online contest form to file your entry. Good luck to all SCBWI members that enter the challenge!

Ken

Welcoming Two New Members to WFK

Writers for Kids, an online picture book critique group welcomes two new writers. Hayley and Callie join the three existing writers in the group. Since starting the group back in 2013, we have had some changeover, but also some success too. Two of our former members have published books in the last three years. WFK is a very supportive and helpful group. I have no doubt that both Hayley and Callie will fit in well here.

Hayley is a middle school teacher who happens to run and do triathlons.  She has a healthy living/food blog that she maintains, has experience in the children's writing market and has a goal of becoming a traditionally published author.

Callie works for a educational nonprofit as a curriculum writer and program evaluator and happens to be a professional musician that plays the violin. She has educational curriculum children's publishing experience. She is also pursuing the goal of getting a children's book published.

Writers for Kids is excited to have Hayley and Callie join the group. They will undoubtedly bring their skills to bear and enhance the group!

Ken