The Big Write Youth Contest
St. Louis Writers Guild and Build-a-Bear Workshop Foundation are teaming up again with The Big Read Literacy Festival to sponsor their third annual youth writing contest, The Big Write.
Closing Date September 12
The contest seeks to recognize and reward talented young writers in grades 4 -8 with cash and other prizes. Awards will be presented at The Big Read Festival in October.
Students are invited to submit 250-500 word stories that begin with the sentence, “It all began when someone left the window open” (from The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, by Chris Van Allsburg
There is no entry fee and students may submit multiple entries. Six winners will be designated, with three in each of the two grade level categories for grades 4-5 and 6-8 (home schoolers may enter for their customary grade in public school for their age).
Winners will receive cash prizes of $100 for 1st place, $50 for 2nd place, and $25 for 3rd place, an award certificate, and an invitation to read their winning entries before a live audience at The Big Read festival on Saturday, October 11, 2008. Winning stories will also be published on the Big Read Website.
Entries must be postmarked on or before September 12, 2008. The Official Contest Entry form, which must be attached to every entry, can be obtained at: http://www.bigread.net/, or St. Louis City or St. Louis County library branches. The Big Write contest was designed and is administered by the St. Louis Writers Guild.
“This contest is a unique opportunity for young St. Louis writers to showcase their talent, and compete for cash awards,” said Claire Applewhite, Publicity Chair, St. Louis Writers Guild.