Ed Tech Ideas

Having an audience for kids is a motivator. Winning a prize for your writing is huge motivator. Here are five writing contests just around the corner:

1. Young Writers and Illustrators Contest
   A creation of PBS Kids and Reading Rainbow, this is a contest for all kids in K-3rd grade who want to write & illustrate a story and submit it for judging for a chance to win local and national prizes. Everyone who enters gets a Certificate of Achievement.
   Deadline: PBS Stations will hold local PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contests during February and March. In late January go to pbskids.org/writerscontest to find your local PBS station and Contest deadline as well as to print the Entry Form and Rules.
2. The Betty Award
   A writing contest for kids ages 8-12 where kids can win up to $300.
   Deadline: All entries must be postmarked no later than May 15, 2010. Winners will be notified by July 15, 2010.
3. Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award
   International writing competition for writers age 13 and above. Amazon and Penguin are seeking the next popular novel. Each winner will receive a publishing contract with Penguin, which includes a $15,000 advance.
   Deadline: Entries must be submitted between January 25, 2010 at 12:01 a.m. (U.S. Eastern Standard Time) and February 7, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Standard Time).
4. Writer’s Digest 79th Annual Writing Competition
   GRAND PRIZE: $3,000 cash and a trip to New York City to meet with editors or agents. Writer’s Digest will fly you and a guest to The Big Apple, where you’ll spend three days and two nights in the publishing capital of the world. While you’re there, a Writer’s Digest editor will escort you to meet and share your work with four editors or agents!
   Deadline: May 14, 2010.
   Add $5 per manuscript or poem to Entry Fee(s) on all entries submitted after May 14.
5. Kids Can Do It Essay Contest
   Ongoing essay competition where kids can win $50, an autographed book from Sandra McLeod Humphrey, and an award certificate to hang in the classroom.
   Deadline: Ongoing. Next contest begins January 1, 2010.

This list just scratches the surface of the writing contests out there. A word of caution though: there are several scam contests looking to take advantage of young writers. Here are some articles you should read before entering any writing competition:

• Avoid Writing Contest Scams
• The Seduction of Poetry Contest Scams
• Contests and Agencies to Avoid

Do you have other contests to recommend? If so, please share.