Jan 22 2009
Writing Contest – Write a Book Review!
Good morning, everyone! Starting today, I am hosting a new writing contest. I’m really excited about this one, so please help me spread the word! All the information is below.
Write a book review—with a twist! Little Dozen Press is sponsoring a new contest for writers ages 11 and up. Review your favourite novel or other work of fiction. In your review, pinpoint a specific writing technique which the author does well, and share what you have learned about writing from reading the book.
The entry deadline is March 15. Winners will receive their choice of book by Rachel Starr Thomson, signed by the author. All entrants who give their permission will have their review published on Inklings, Rachel’s blog for young (and other) writers.
Entries should be emailed to thomson.rachel@gmail.com with “Writing Contest” in the subject line.
Visit Inklings at www.rachelstarrthomson.com/inklings/
Age Categories
Winners will be chosen from three age categories: 11-13, 14-17, and 18 and up.
Guidelines
A review is more than a book report. Your goal in a review is to give an overview of the story, share your opinions, and pinpoint what the writer does especially well. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you write a review for the contest:
- Don’t share the whole story. You want to give readers a sense of the plot without overloading them with details. Especially avoid “spoilers”—giving away surprise plot twists or telling readers how the story ends.
- Make your opinion clear. A review has much in common with a persuasive essay. Your opinions are just as important as the facts, so share your own thoughts about the book.
- Be creative. A review is a piece of creative writing, so don’t be afraid to let your own voice shine!
- Tell us what you learned from the writer. Our special focus in this contest is writing technique. Pay attention to what this writer does well—in plotting, characterization, description, word choice, dialogue, or any other element of storytelling. Give examples. Tell us what you have learned from this writer’s work.
- Reviews of Rachel’s books are not eligible to win—but if you’d like to write one, we’ll be thrilled to publish it! If you review a book written or published by a family member or friend, let us know—we’ll make a special note of it so our readers can learn about the work being done by independent authors and publishers.
Blog Publication
All entries (with permission from their authors) will be published on Inklings, Rachel Starr Thomson’s blog (www.rachelstarrthomson.com/inklings/). Others will be encouraged to comment on them. We hope to start a few discussions about good books and good writing!
Prizes
Three winners will be chosen, one from each age category. Winners will receive a signed copy of one of Rachel Starr Thomson’s books of their own choosing. Rachel’s books include the fantasy novels Worlds Unseen and Burning Light, several devotional works, and Tales of the Heartily Homeschooled.
UPDATE: Felice and Christina Gerwitz’s The Missing Link: Found! Book 1 of the Truth Seekers Mystery Series, has been added to the prize pool. Thanks for your donation, Felice!
UPDATE: Jessica Erskine has donated a copy of Bible Battles, written by Lettice Bell and Jessica Erskine, to be offered as a prize. Thanks, Jessica!
To read excerpts and reviews, see cover art, or learn more about the books, visit www.rachelstarrthomson.com.
Authors and Publishers: Would you like to donate a book to be used as a prize for this contest? Contact me at thomson.rachel@gmail.com.
[...] You can win a free book from Rachel Starr Thomson of Inklings. Writers age 11 and up can find all the information about it here: Writing Contest – Write a Book Review! [...]
[...] There will be winners in 3 age groups (all 11 or older). Visit Inklings to get an idea of the blog (which seems to be geared towards writing advice, information about the industry and her her writing on being homeschooled in a large family, Christianity and science fiction stories) and see full details of the contest here. [...]
[...] Gerwitz of Media Angels has donated a prize for the review writing contest: a copy of The Missing Link: Found!, written by a teenage author — Felice’s daughter, [...]
[...] had a new prize donation for the book review writing contest — from none other than Jessica Erskine, faithful Inklings reader. Bible Battles is a unique [...]
[...] Full details are here. [...]
Any guidelines with respect to number of words for the contest write-up?
Virginia
Hi Virginia,
Nope; entries can be any length. The general rule is, use all the words you need to say what you need to say, and then stop ;). Thanks for checking!