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WRITING KID
Volume 11, Issue 2           -       January 21, 2010

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The zine for future writers today.
 
Publisher/Editor: C. Hope Clark
Mailto:      Hope@FundsforWriters.com

Published biweekly and free for the asking. Spread it around.

TELL YOUR TEACHERS ABOUT WRITING KID!

Find this newsletter online at
www.fundsforwriters.com/writingkid.htm
 
Read the archived editions at:
http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?writingkid

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WRITING NOTES
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When I Became a Writer

By Vani Macedo Lewis

I never used to look at myself as a writer, but now I know
that I can write. Although I know my English is limited,
I'm pushing myself to learn more and more every day.
Sometimes I feel afraid of showing my work to others
because I keep wondering, what if it is not good enough?
Yet it still doesn't stop me from writing. I realize it is
my writing. It still can make a difference. Today in class,
my writing prompt was to write about the power of words,
and I want  my writing to have power to change people's
hearts and have an effect on them.

I began to write my life's story in a notebook, my life
journal. Every time I was going through hard times in my
life, I got this notebook and wrote in it. It was my
sanctuary to forget my troubles. Writing my problems on
paper made me stronger because I could see what was wrong
and what I could do to change it. It doesn't mean I knew how
to write at that time, but writing my own words helped me
through tough times. When I really started learning how to
write was in my Creative Writing class.

My first writing prompt was about the road of my life. It
shocked me a little bit because I never thought I would write
about my own life in class. I thought we would be writing
about English and hard topic essays. First Mrs. Parker said
not to worry about getting everything right the first draft--
just start "vomiting on the page." It was kind of funny to me
because I didn't know what she meant by that, but when I
began to write, I could see what she wanted us to do and it
started getting more interesting for me. After that, I began
to write about everything without the teacher giving me
writing prompts. And that was when I became a writer.

The words I vomit on the page come from my heart and my brain.
I don't control them, they just come out. Ideas come from
nowhere. I always look at quotes and think, what I can write
about that quote? What does that quote mean to me? And I try
to put it on paper. Paper and pencil became my best friends.
If I'm going through bad times, I know I will always have
paper and pencil to help me. Writing makes me reflect on my
actions, thoughts and words. My own words have an impact on
me. I believe if my writing has an impact on me, it will have
an impact on other people's lives too.

BIO

Vani Lewis is a senior at Broome High School in SC. She plays
soccer for the school and she likes to write, read and dance.
She is going to major in history at Limestone College in 2011.

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Always keep writing.

    Hope
 
PS
We cover elementary to college teens. Each week we
carry 12 or so opportunities for all ages. Read each
market closely. Some cover a wide range and others
address a very small age group. Always read the directions!

We need guest articles. Have you considered writing a
guest article for WritingKid? Are you a student, a parent,
a teacher? All are eligible. Just make sure the topic
touches upon writing and runs no more than 500-550 words.
Those under 16 receive the book of their choice. Those
over 16 receive $10-$20, depending on the quality of the
piece, the amount of editing required and the obvious
amount of research. Send any submissions to
hope@fundsforwriters.com and label it SUBMISSION TO
WRITINGKID.

 
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1.
POETRY INSTITUTE OF CANADA ANTHOLOGY CONTEST
http://www.youngwritersofcanada.ca/
---
One poetry contest is open to all age groups; another is
open to all children 7 to 12 years of age, and youths,
aged 13 to 18 years; and finally, a short story contest for
all children ages 7-18. There is no entry fee for these
contests. An anthology is published after each contest. This
occurs after final judging of poems or stories has taken place
and all prizes have been awarded by the judging committee.
Our aim amongst young Canadians is to encourage the writing
of English poetry, by publishing examples of the best work
received each year. We provide the opportunity for many
students to see their work in print, and also to compare it
with the work of students of a similar age. It is also
important that their writing skill be given an audience where
it can be shared and enjoyed by others. Approximately 40% of
all poems or stories are not accepted in each of these contests.
Deadline for entries is March 15, 2011.  

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2.
JUST FOR KIDS
http://just4kidsmagazine.com/writer_guidelines.html
---
Just For Kids Magazine is a magazine designed for families
with toddlers to teens, Just 4 Kids Magazine offers
wholesome readings that teach about God's love, His Son
Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Bible. Each issue
is built around a specific theme with material that can
be used by children in a variety of ways. Scripture
stories, fiction, poetry, prayers, art, graphics,
puzzles, and activities are included. Submitted articles
should help children experience a Christian lifestyle.
Seasonal material is appropriate. We welcome submissions
from children. Just 4 Kids Magazine is interdenominational,
and our readers include persons of many cultures and ethnic
backgrounds.

Stories and articles: Up to 10 cents/word
Family Devotions: $10 and up
Poetry: $5 and up
Activities, games: $5 and up
Art and Drawings: $5 and up  
 
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3.
CHRISTOPHER TOWER POETRY PRIZES
http://www.towerpoetry.org.uk/prize
---
NO ENTRY FEE
Students between 16-18 years of age are challenged to write
a poem on the theme of 'Simplicity'. Launched in 2000, the Tower
Prizes are already established as among the most prestigious
literary awards for this age group. The first prize is £3,000,
with £1,000 and £500 going to the second and third prize-winners.
In addition to individual prizes, the students' schools and
colleges also receive cash prizes. Write a poem, of no more
than 48 lines, on the theme of 'Simplicity'. Deadline March
11, 2011. Entrants must be in full or part-time education at
a school, college or other educational institution in the United
Kingdom.
 
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4.
AYESHA REVIEWS
http://ayeshareviews.com/workforus/
---
Are you a tween/teen and love to read? Get in touch as I would
like you to be a guest blogger for our publishing company,
Ayesha Reviews, Inc. Email me at: ayesha@ayeshareviews.com.
You might be asking: what is the benefit of being a book review
blogger? I would say to learn not to judge a book by its cover. 
Beside that you can also earn some pocket money ($0.50 - $2.50
per review of 50 - 250 words).

After consulting your parent, if you do decide to be a guest
blogger/reviewer for us, here are the guidelines:
1. The review ideally should be between 50 to 250 words.
2. If you can include a picture of the book, that would be great.
3. Since it is a review, we need to hear why you liked the book
or disliked it if you did.

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5.
NATIONAL PET WEEK WRITING CONTEST
http://www.avmaaux.org
 ---
The Auxiliary to The American Veterinary Medical Association
is pleased to announce a call for entries to their annual
writing and poster contests. The deadline is March 16, 2011.
The winning entries will be used to promote the 2012 National
Pet Week theme "Healthy Pets Make Happy Homes". Contest winners
will each receive $300. The writing contest is open to third to
fifth graders. Entrants are invited to submit poems, essays,
or stories 20 to 200 words in length. Entries must be submitted
in the body of an e-mail to petweek@hotmail.com along with the
entrant's name, address, grade in school, phone number and age.
The poster contest is open to artists of any age. The poster
may be any size and must be colorful. Do not fold, staple, or
send by fax. The use of crayons is discouraged because it does
not copy well. Magic markers, dark colored pencils, and
watercolor in bright shades, etc. tend to make a more
attractive and reproducible entry. Posters with photos,
magazine cut-outs, or additional elements of this type are
automatically disqualified. Entries must be postmarked by
March 16, 2011 and mailed to: Jewel Allen, 326 Ranch Road,
Grantsville, Utah 84029. Go to the website and click on
"National Pet Week". Inquiries may be sent to
petweek@hotmail.com.
 
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6.
YOUNG APPALACHIAN POETS AWARD

Hazard Community & Technical College is hosting the annual
Young Appalachian Poets Award. Any poet, high school aged or
younger, may submit their original poetry. First prize includes
$100 and publication in Kudzu; Second Place is $50 and
publication in Kudzu. Up to five original poems may be
submitted as attached documents to Scott.Lucero@kctcs.edu or
HZ-HCTC-KUDZU@kctcs.edu. Please include a brief biographical
statement and put YAPA in the subject line. The deadline is
January 30, 2011.

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7.
TEEN INK WRITING CLASSES ONLINE
http://www.writingclasses.com/
http://www.teenink.com
---
Teen Ink, a national literary magazine, has partnered with
Gotham Writing Workshop to present six-week online creative
writing courses created exclusively for teens, 13 to 19 years
old. These classes are all about helping younger writers
discover and develop their unique voices. There are no grades,
no exams, and no wrong answers. Learn more at TeenInk.com.

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8.
PEN AMERICAN CENTER INTERNSHIPS
http://www.pen.org/page.php/prmID/161
http://www.pen.org/page.php/prmID/130
---
PEN American Center, the 3,400-strong association of writers
working to advance literature, defend free expression, and
foster international literary fellowship, has several current
internship openings. Applicants must have an interest in and
knowledge of literature, and an appreciation for humanitarian
and international issues to which PEN is committed. Openings
in Financial, Membership, Online Publications, Social Media,
Prison Writing Program, Readers & Writers, Writers' Fund,
World Voices Festival/Public Programs. Main location New York.
 
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9.
HIGH COUNTRY NEWS INTERNS
http://www.hcn.org/about/internships
---
Every year, High Country News offers six internship positions,
each six months long. Three new interns join us each June and
January; we provide free housing and a $170-per-week stipend.
To help defray moving costs, an additional $500 travel stipend
is available. For each internship session, we hire three
Editorial Interns. Our interns are a key part of the HCN team;
aside from a few minor tasks such as sorting the mail and
answering phones, interns spend most of their time researching,
interviewing, writing, and developing content -- both written
and multimedia. We pride ourselves on fairness, accuracy and
good writing, and we expect no less of our interns. For all
of our internship positions, some prior journalism experience
and/or education is preferred. We also prefer applicants who
are familiar with High Country News and who have lived in the
West and are familiar with its environmental and community
issues. We strongly encourage Native American, Hispanic, and
applicants from other under-represented backgrounds. All
interns work with the staff Editors to write news stories for
the website and for the newsmagazine, ranging in length from
250 to 900 words. Depending on their experience and ability,
editorial interns may also get the opportunity to write a
4,000 word cover story.

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10.
JACK KENT COOKE FOUNDATION
http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships
---
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has launched a new scholarship
program to help cultivate the next generation of great artists
and writers with the establishment of the Jack Kent Cooke
Graduate Arts Award. The new award will recognize and reward
the most promising up-and-coming artists and writers from
lower-income backgrounds. The Graduate Arts Award will enable
ten students with artistic and creative merit and outstanding
academic achievement to pursue a graduate degree in the fine
arts, performing arts, or creative writing. The award will
provide funding for tuition, room and board, required fees,
and books, and is renewable for up to three years.

Students eligible for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate
Arts Award must be nominated by their undergraduate institution
by mid-February 2011. For additional information, a list of
faculty representatives, and eligibility requirements, please
visit the website.

 
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Contact WritingKid (the Business Stuff)
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FundsforWriters/Writing Kid make no warranty as to the
accuracy of the contests, awards, etc. but we do try to
check them out in advance to the best of our ability.
 
C. Hope Clark
Hope@FundsforWriters.com
http://www.fundsforwriters.com

Copyright 2000-2011, C. Hope Clark

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