Write 2 Help!

Prompt: Write a short story about anything that you like!
Prizes: 1st=$1,000 2nd=$250 3rd=$100
Ages: 13+
Entry Fee: $10
Deadline: December 20, 2008
Website: Write 2 Help

The Austin Chronicle Short Story Contest!

Prompt: Write a short story that is no longer than 2,500 words.
Prize: $1500 divided among five winners!
Entry Deadline: December 15, 2008
Ages: All ages (you will be competing among adults)
Entry Fee: Free!
Website: The Austin Chronicle

Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest

Prompt: Your teacher will have to do pick you to enter you into the contest. (Only one per classroom.) If you use Zaner-Bloser Handwriting products in your classroom AND you have good handwriting...you could win!
Prize: You will receive prizes totaling $1500 plus a computer for your school!
Entry Deadline: March 2, 2009
Ages: Grades 1-8
Entry Fee: Free!
Website: Zaner-Bloser Handwriting

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards of 2009

What is the prompt? Submit art or creative writing.

Prizes: Scholarships from a pool of 3.25 million in tuition support.

Entry Deadline: There are various regional deadlines that range from November until January.

Ages: Grades 7-12

Entry Fee: FREE!

Website: The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards of 2009.

My Very Good Reason For Not Posting in Awhile!

My students won a contest!!! Three of them! I am so excited. I will post details about it after they know. We are keeping it a secret until December 5 so they can be presented with a high honor! It's weird, I feel as though I have won it myself. (How bad is that?) I am gearing up to go to the NCTE conference in San Antonio this weekend. I went to the same conference in Denver ten years ago and I can't wait to go again. I am hoping that my blog will get some readership after I network with some teachers. If you are around the San Antonio area this weekend, check out this conference. A lot of professors, authors, and teachers will be taking over San Antonio!

And the other reason I haven't posted in awhile is....we just got a Nintendo Wii. It is losing its luster so I should be up and running again. =)

My Home: The American Dream Contest

What is the prompt? Tell your own story, through both images and words, about how your home, apartment, or condominium is a special place to build memories and dreams for the future.
Prizes: 3 prizes of $2,000 and 7 prizes of $500! For teachers: There will be 3 classroom prizes! Teachers will receive a document camera valued at $600.
Entry Deadline: December 8, 2008
Ages: Grades K through 8
Entry Fee: FREE!
Website: The American Dream Contest through Scholastic

**All entries must combine a visual and written/oral component. For example, an essay without illustrations will not be considered.

Texas Book Festival!

All good writers read. A LOT. Instead, of posting a contest, I am going to encourage you to go to the Texas Book Festival. There are authors every hour at the Capitol in downtown Austin. There is a Cookbook Tent, a Children's Tent, and authors speaking on multiple subjects. Today was a reminder to me of how lucky I am that I moved to Austin. Tomorrow is going to be even better! Go to the Texas Book Festival. And write me a note about how much you LOVED it!

Website: Texas Book Festival