So You Want To Be A Writer?

Two Contests Give a Shot at Fame, Patterson Style

“Plenty of kids think they’re comedians, as anyone who has ever attended middle school can attest. Now those junior jokesters can put their comedic prowess toward a greater good than just ticking off the teacher. Kids ages eight to 15 can enter James Patterson’s I Funny. You Funny? contest, inspired by the author’s 2012 middle-grade novel about a classroom cutup, by submitting a link to a video showing up to 60 seconds of them doing a standup routine. The grand prize is a trip to Universal Studios Orlando; up to 10 first-prize winners will have their best joke written into the I, Funny sequel, due out from Little, Brown this December, and up to 10 second-prize winners will receive five full sets of Patterson’s Middle School book series for their school library.

The author himself has gotten in on the act, in a series of video segments filmed with Zachary Gordon, star of the movie version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Additional videos will be rolled out over the duration of the contest, which runs through April 15.

A second Patterson-centric contest, this one via Figment, promotes the recent release of The Kiss, the latest in the Wizard & Witch series. Entrants ages 13 and older are invited to write a story, 500 words or less, “about a relationship that no one approves of.” The deadline is February 26; Little, Brown will judge the 200 most “hearted” entries. The winning story will be featured on Patterson’s YA Web site, and the winner will also receive $500, plus an iPad mini stocked with Patterson titles – and a Facebook shout-out from the author.”

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/55827-two-contests-give-a-shot-at-fame-patterson-style.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly%27s+Children%27s+Bookshelf&utm_campaign=9adeef27df-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email

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