FYI,

 

I’m passing this student writing contest announcement along from Mary Van Akin at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group:

 

I'm very excited to launch the Gary Paulsen Northwind Storytelling Contest today. You can read all about it here.

 

We were so sad to lose Gary last year but we're very excited to invite young writers (ages 10-14) to continue Gary's final adventure, the New York Times bestseller Northwind.

Gary spoke so often about how important reading and storytelling were to him in his early years as he overcame truly harrowing personal circumstances.

 

The winning writer will see their work published with The Horn Book, receive a $500 Amex gift card, writing journal, and class set of Northwind, and have the opportunity to attend a writing workshop together with the runners-up.

The runners-up will receive a writing journal and the opportunity to attend the writing workshop.

 

If you know young writers or know people who work with young writers, please consider passing this information along! Contest submissions close on April 4 and we will announce the contest winner on Gary's birthday, May 17th.

 

I'm including the writing prompt and more resources below. Please let me know if you have any questions!

 

All my best,

-Mary

 

_________________________

 

Gary Paulsen Northwind Writing Contest

 

Writing Prompt: At the end of Northwind by Gary Paulsen, Leif turns away from signs of civilization to head back off on his own in a canoe at sea with limited supplies. In 1,000–3,000 words, either continue Leif’s story or write a story about your own character embarking on a journey alone at sea. Submission Form

Contest Description: Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group invites storytellers ages 10–14 to continue the adventure of literary legend Gary Paulsen’s final novel, the New York Times bestseller Northwind.

 

“Story, as far as I’m concerned, is everything. Simply everything.” —Gary Paulsen

Literary legend Gary Paulsen (1939–2021) takes readers on one last adventure with his novel Northwind, another stunning survival story from the author of Hatchet, set alongside a rugged mythical coastline centuries ago. All storytellers ages 10–14 are invited to continue the adventure in the Northwind Storytelling Contest. Entries are open February 4th through April 4, 2022.

 

The contest will be judged by Gary’s son, Jim Paulsen; Jennifer Flannery of Flannery Literary, his longtime agent, and Wesley Adams, Gary’s editor at Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers. The judges will be looking for a unique voice and a strong sense of storytelling. The winning storyteller will receive a $500 AMEX gift card, journal, a class set of Northwind, admission to a writing workshop, and see their short story published. Five runners up will be invited to a writing workshop and receive a journal and a copy of Northwind.

 

Rules and Requirements: https:// bit.ly/NorthwindRules
Notice to Parents: https://bit.ly/NorthwindPrivacyNotice
Privacy Notice: https://us.macmillan.com/privacy-notice

 

Many will enter, few will win. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., age 10-14. Parental permission is required to enter. Must enter by 12:00 a.m. on April 1, 2022. Void where prohibited. Subject to all applicable laws. For complete rules and requirements, visit bit.ly/NorthwindContestRules.

 

Mary Van Akin (she/her/hers)

Director of School & Library Marketing

Macmillan Children's Publishing Group

...@macmillan.com" style="color: #2199e8; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">mary...@macmillan.com

 

Twitter | MacKidsSchoolandLibrary.com 

 

Forwarded by:

 

Sharon Rawlins, MLS, she/her/hers

Youth Services Specialist for Lifelong Learning

NJ State Library

185 West State St.

P.O. Box 520

Trenton, NJ 08625-0520

...@njstatelib.org" style="color: #2199e8; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">sraw...@njstatelib.org

609-278-2640 ext. 116

609-278-2650 – fax