Tots and Teens: A Lit. ContestTots and Teens: The Children’s Literature Contest
Just what are the merits of children’s literature? Or are there any? Is it somehow more palatable and less merit-worthy than adult literature? Or is that just the opinion of adults who have forgotten what it’s like to be a child? Well, you tell us. Your task is simple. Write us a piece of children’s literature in any or all of the following three categories:
Poetry
Traditionally, children’s poetry tends to have very exact rhyme and rhythm. It will usually tell a clear story, very often with a big dose of humour and without a great deal of metaphor or hidden meaning. Maybe you would like to emulate those kinds of poems, or maybe you think you know an equally valid but different way. Whichever it is, we’d love to see it.
Fiction: 12 and Under
This is a very broad category. You could be writing for any reading age from three to… well, twelve. But whichever age you have in mind when you write, remember not to patronise your reader. Children are intelligent beings, given the chance. Assume they are at least as smart as you, and you’ll do fine.
Teen Fiction
For those of you who think you would rather not write for children, try writing for young adults. If you believe that there are in fact some limitations in children’s literature, and they happen to cover just the thing you want to write about, that same taboo probably doesn’t apply to teen fiction. Read Junk or Doing It, both by the wonderful Melvin Burgess, if you don’t believe me.
With all of that said, please do not feel restricted as to what you should and should not include in any of these categories. ‘Categories’ are just something to make contests easier for the organisers. Remember that Michelle Magorian’s Goodnight Mister Tom was written with under-twelves in mind, and gives graphic depictions of child abuse and finishes on a theme of sexual awakening. I suggest that there is no such thing as age-specific fiction. You may end up writing something that appeals to teenagers and children under twelve, or to anyone from six to ninety-six. But you will begin planning with an age range in mind. You will usually find J.K. Rowling’s books on the ‘Fiction 9-12’ shelves, but people of all ages will walk over there and pick those books up. Just think of the two categories for prose as being like those shelves in a bookshop.
First- and second-place winners in each of the three categories will be judged by *ThornyEnglishRose and *batousaijin. Prizes are listed below, but first let’s get the other stuff out of the way. Now I don’t like restrictions much, but we must have a few of these things…
The Rules 
You may enter once into each category. Your first entry must be a new deviation. You may then enter an existing deviation into either or both of the remaining categories; deviations which have previously won a contest on dA are ineligible. Remember to proof-read. I am a grammar, spelling and punctuation Nazi. Not wanting to restrict you with a word limit, there is none, but be sure to bear in mind your audience. Should you want to enter content from a novel, please submit one chapter, with a synopsis in your comments. Please mention the Children’s Literature Contest in your comments, with a link back to the journal entry or news article. All entries must be submitted into the children’s gallery for poetry or prose, as appropriate. As long as the piece is aimed primarily at children or teenagers, there is no limit on form, style or genre, excluding fan fiction, which is ineligible. Prize donors may enter. Once you have submitted your entry, send a link and specify the category in a note to *ThornyEnglishRose, with ‘Children’s Lit. Contest Entry’ (or something close) as the subject, on or before the deadline of April 30th 2008.That’s enough rules. Now for the fun part…
The Prizes Poetry
First place
Three-month subscription from *batousaijin Six-month journal feature from *ThornyEnglishRose Three-month journal feature from *batousaijin One-month journal feature from =Beccald One-month journal feature from =RLDStock Journal feature from *kLiT-sHy Journal feature from =WineWriter Journal feature from ~Riloffey Journal feature from ^StJoan One devwear t-shirt An illustration of your winning poem from ~AllTheSameSecond Place
One-month subscription from ^GeneratingHype Six-month journal feature from *ThornyEnglishRose Three-month journal feature from *batousaijin One-month journal feature from =Beccald One-month journal feature from =RLDStock Journal feature from *kLiT-sHy Journal feature from =WineWriter Journal feature from ~Riloffey Journal feature from ^StJoanFiction: 12 and Under
First Place
Three-month subscription from *batousaijin Six-month journal feature from *ThornyEnglishRose Three-month journal feature from *batousaijin One-month journal feature from =Beccald One-month journal feature from =RLDStock Journal feature from *kLiT-sHy Journal feature from =WineWriter Journal feature from ~Riloffey Journal feature from ^StJoan One devwear t-shirt A feature with *WordCount An illustration of your winning story from *UmbravSecond Place
One-month subscription from ^GeneratingHype Six-month journal feature from *ThornyEnglishRose Three-month journal feature from *batousaijin One-month journal feature from =Beccald One-month journal feature from =RLDStock Journal feature from *kLiT-sHy Journal feature from =WineWriter Journal feature from ~Riloffey Journal feature from ^StJoanTeen Fiction
First Place
Three-month subscription from *batousaijin Six-month journal feature from *ThornyEnglishRose Three-month journal feature from *batousaijin One-month journal feature from =Beccald One-month journal feature from =RLDStock Journal feature from *kLiT-sHy Journal feature from =WineWriter Journal feature from ~Riloffey Journal feature from ^StJoan One devwear t-shirt A feature with *WordCount A poem or short story to your specification from *ThornyEnglishRoseSecond Place
One-month subscription from ^GeneratingHype Six-month journal feature from *ThornyEnglishRose Three-month journal feature from *batousaijin One-month journal feature from =Beccald One-month journal feature from =RLDStock Journal feature from *kLiT-sHy Journal feature from =WineWriter Journal feature from ~Riloffey Journal feature from ^StJoanAll entries will be posted in the contest journal, so you can check out the competition.
If you want to enter but haven’t read a children’s story in a while, it might be an idea to pick up a book and start reading. Perhaps the current Children’s Laureate Jacqueline Wilson, or the man who was recently dubbed ‘the world’s number one storyteller’ Roald Dahl, or the phenomenally popular J.K. Rowling. Then, when you’re ready, take and reject whatever you like from those writers and try it your own way.
Entries
Poetry
Battle of the Bullies
Little Princess
Shades of Grey
My Little Mermaid
Why His Shoes Were Wet
The Rainbow Song
My Cat
The Dragons' Way
Jack the Target Dog
The Ballad of Christopher Bean
Remember when you were young?
War Memories
BFF
Icicle On My BicycleFiction: 12 and Under
Grown ups know best
Adventures of Freddie
Magic
Lullabird
I Love You Mother
Angel Dreams
Shaking Dreamcatchers
Order of Ara
The Danish Cobbler A Thanksgiving to Remember Butterfly Rain The Together RingsTeen Fiction
Smile
Desert, Eagle and I Trill: Part 1
The Green Dragon: Chapter 11 The tale of the mountain dragon Bad Accent
Claire's Journey, Chapter 6 Because... The Black Forest: Part 1
Talking to you, if you exist RANDOLPH Climax The Witch's Circle Always isn't forever
dA Love
You Are ... Incarnate!
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How very dreamy! 
Devious Comments
how long would you say it should be?
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I get one comment per picture if im lucky
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Boob
I'm so glad you're going to enter, and I look forward to reading it.
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Boob
I'd really like to submit a part of a story I wrote.. Although I wrote it a while ago... =[
But each part is rather long... So even if I write another I think I'll need to cut the words down a bit...
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Boredem - Death - Sorrow - Confusion
"He told me to tell him when I was hitting the climax then he would shoot himself. So I did, and he did. It was the greatest experience."
Hmm these have other photo's...
[link]
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