Thursday, July 28, 2011

Amy Foundation Writing Awards

Genre: Article

Restrictions: Must have been published during the current calendar year in a mainstream, non-religious publication either online or in print. Must contain at least one passage of Scripture. Entries must be sent by USPS; e-mailed entries will not be accepted.

Prizes: First prize is $10,000. Second prize is $5000, third prize is $4000, fourth prize is $3000, and fifth prize is $2000. In addition, ten Awards of Outstanding Merit will be given at $1000 each.

Entry Fee: None

Additional information: Amy Foundation Writing Awards

Friday, July 22, 2011

Panera Bread's Asiago Bagel Breakfast Sandwich: Review

If you're looking for a tasty change of pace for breakfast, consider Panera Bread's asiago bagel breakfast sandwich. The asiago bagel adds a different flavor that makes it stand out from a run-of-the-mill breakfast sandwich. My review provides details about this menu item's presentation, taste, and nutrition.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Our Green Tomorrow

Genre: Essay

Restrictions: Must be about how the environment affects your life. Entries are accepted from students in grades 6 through 12 who live in the United States. Maximum 1500 words.

Deadline: October 31, 2011

Prizes: $500

Entry Fee: None

Additional information: Our Green Tomorrow

Artwork is also accepted in a separate category, with the prize again being $500.

International Contest of Mountaineering Literature and Photography

Genre: Stories about the mountains and/or mountaineers.

Restrictions: Must be original, unpublished stories written in English or Spanish by a writer at least 18 years old. The previous year's winner is not eligible.

Deadline: September 10, 2011

Prizes: First prize is 500 Euros and inclusion of the story in a book.

Entry Fee: None

Additional information: Go to International Contest of Mountaineering Literature and Photography. The contest guidelines are provided in a PDF download.

Writing Contests

When I started researching writing contests to post about here, I had no idea there were so many! I'll be concentrating on posting about those with no entry fee. If I see one with an incredibly good prize for a relatively low entry fee, I'll include it as well.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Textnovel Contest

Genre: Story or novel

Restrictions: Entrant must be at least 13 years old and reside in the United States, Canada, or another country where the contest is allowed by law. Submission must be written in English and have a minimum of 50,000 words.

Deadline: August 31, 2011

Prizes: $1000 and possibility of representation

Entry fee: None

Additional information: Textnovel Contest

Past Loves Day Story Contest

Genre: True story

Restrictions: Must be a true story about a past love, with a maximum of 700 words. No restriction on tone.

Deadline: August 17, 2011

Prizes: First prize is $100. Second prize is $75. Third prize is $50.

Entry fee: None

Additional information: Past Loves Day Story Contest

Snag Today Poetry Contest

Genre: Poetry of any style or theme.

Restrictions: Maximum 50 lines. Must be written in English. Previously published work is fine, as are simultaneous submissions. Author must own publication rights.

Deadline: July 31, 2011

Prizes: $30 for first prize. Second and third prizes are $5 each.

Entry fee: None

Additional information: Snag Today Poetry Contest

Changing Focus

I recently took some time to think about the direction of Ellie's Writing Desk. Although I originally started this blog to promote my Associated Content articles, I realized that I wanted to do much more with it than that. I had a lot of ideas; the problem was figuring out which ones would work.

I finally came up with a plan, and I think it works. I hope it works.

1. Post writing prompts. I've already come up with some interesting ones, so be on the lookout for them. You'll be able to fulfill the prompts in the comments, on your own blog, or privately--or you can just ignore them. It's up to you. The idea is to get the creative juices flowing and just have fun.

2. Find and post information about writing contests.

3. Provide tips about writing and grammar.

4. Continue to promote my own articles, but more regularly. It still won't be very often, since I don't write that many.

5. Promote articles by other writers.

6. Spotlight different writers, including occasionally branching out into some interviews.

I haven't finalized a schedule, and that's probably not even possible. However, I do intend to update this blog much more often than in the past.

I also started a new blog, Ellie's Blank Book. It will be for most of the blog hops and blogging challenges, although any that are devoted to the act of writing will be here at Ellie's Writing Desk.