Creative Writing Contests for Children
Contests are a great way for children to get started writing. Many contests offer cash prizes, copies of books or even help pay for higher education. In some cases, contests may offer free attendance at workshops or conferences. Most contests repeat on a yearly basis, so while you may have missed one this year, check it out again in few months--you may be able to enter next time around.
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Cost
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While a number of contests are free, some contests will charge a "reading fee." Fees are often connected to a service rendered. For example, if you enter a contest with a $25 reading fee, you may also get feedback from the judges to help you see what can be improved.
Considerations
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Some contests are open to writers of all ages. If you find a contest you wish to enter, check to see if there are age requirements. While there are contests that will not allow an entry from a writer under the age of 18, others may include a waiver for a parent to sign to allow the child to enter.
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Warnings
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Unfortunately, there are unethical contests out there. Check out websites for writers to see if there is any feedback about the contest. If the contest has been around for more than 5 years and you can't find negative feedback, or if the contest is sponsored by a major publishing company, the odds are good that the contest is legitimate (see Resources).
Reading Rainbow
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PBS's Reading Rainbow offers a yearly contest for children within the United States who are in kindergarten through third grade. Entry is free, and you get a certificate signed by LeVar Burton, the host of Reading Rainbow, just for entering.
Scholastic
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Scholastic's yearly contest, Kids Are Authors, is open to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is open to fiction and non-fiction writers, and one winner in each category will be published and have their book sold through Scholastic Book Fairs.
The Betty Award
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The Betty Award is a yearly contest open to children between the ages of 8 and 12. There is a reading fee of $15. Cash prizes are awarded for first, second and third place, ranging from $300 to $100.
Grannie Annie
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Grannie Annie is a yearly contest for stories of 275 to 500 words by students in grades 4 through 8. There is no entry fee, and selected stories are published in a collection. Winners get 2 copies of the book they appear in.
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