The Write Way

Kids, get to work!

With school almost out and the next Austin Chronicle Short Story Contest not rolling around for another six months or so, some of you might be looking for something to write to keep your skills sharp. The Texas Book Festival and University Interscholastic League deliver.

Kids in seventh through 12th grades are invited to submit original fiction no longer than 2,000 words to the 12th annual Fiction Writing Contest, sponsored by Kirkus Reviews. This year's theme is "From the Back of the Truck." Here's the complete list of rules:

1) Students must enter in one of three divisions: grades 7-8, grades 9-10, or grades 11-12. Authors enter the division for which they were a student during the 2011-2012 academic year.
2) Schools are limited to three entries per division. There is no entry fee.
3) Entries must be 2,000 words or less, 12 point type, double-spaced, and written on the theme "From the Back of the Truck."
4) Entries must include student’s name, entry title, grade level, and the word count on the cover page.
5) All entries must be submitted online between May 1 and July 27, 2013.
6) The submissions will be judged by educators, authors, and community leaders.
7) Judges will look for excellence in use of dialogue, imagery, character development, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution.
8) Winners will be notified by October 1, 2013.

For the rest of the contest details including how to enter and what prize money is at stake, visit the Texas Book Festival website.