I love Ted Harrison’s Work, and if you do too, here’s a chance to bring a little of his visionary palate into your world.

Aboriginal writing contest for adults who write for kids.

Second Story is holding a contest for contemporary writing for young readers that reflects the modern experience of Canadian Aboriginal – First Nations, Métis, and Inuit – people. The jury will be particularly looking for stories with an urban setting.

Canadian writers who identify as Aboriginal are invited to submit their original, previously unpublished manuscripts by March 31, 2015. The winner of the contest will be announced in April 2015 and will be offered a publishing contract from Second Story Press.

Submissions must not be submitted or under consideration for other contests/by other publishers. By submitting a work and filling in the entry form, the entrant warrants that they have created the work they are submitting and that they own all rights to it.
What we are looking for:

A previously unpublished, original manuscript written for young readers. Submissions must not be under consideration for publication with another publisher.

You must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident – 18 years and older – living in Canada.

Your submission must be written for young readers – ranging in age from Primary to Teenagers (Ages 5 to 18).

We will accept both fiction and nonfiction.
What to send:

You may send your complete manuscript or a sample. If you are sending a sample for a longer work please include an outline and at least 3 chapters.

If submitting a picture book manuscript, illustrations are not necessary.

Please note that we are not looking for stories that rhyme; stories of folklore, legends or mythology; or stories with anthropomorphized animals.
How to submit:

We will accept manuscripts by either mail or email. Submissions must be in English, or provide an English translation. Please include a contest entry form as well as a cover letter telling us about yourself, any relevant work or writing experience, as well as a brief synopsis of the submission.

Mail:
Second Story Press
20 Maud Street, Suite 401
Toronto, ON, M5V 2M5, Canada

Email:
books@secondstorypress.ca

If sending by mail, please include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) so that we are able to return your manuscript and/or send you a reply. Don’t forget to keep a copy of your manuscript! Although we make every effort to keep it safe and sound, we cannot assume responsibility for your manuscript.
Entry form:

All submissions must be accompanied by an entry form. Click here to download entry form.

You can also view or download the entry form as a PDF here. To download the form as a PDF you will need Adobe PDF Reader. If you don’t have this program you can download it here for free: http://get.adobe.com/reader/

If you can’t download the form and would like one mailed to you, email us at books@secondstorypress.ca

Prize:

The winner will be offered a publishing contract with Second Story Press.

Deadlines:*

Manuscripts must be emailed or postmarked by March 31, 2015.

The winner of the contest will be announced in April 2015.

*After the contest deadline we still encourage Aboriginal writers to submit their works via our regular submissions process (including adult fiction and non-fiction). See our Submissions page.

Questions?

Email us: books@secondstorypress.ca

By submitting your work and filling in the entry form, you warrant that you have created the work you are submitting and that you own all rights to it.

For Detailed Contest Rules & Regulations Click Here.

While I was up in the NWT, I spoke to a number of young people in small communities like Gameti and Inuvik  and in the larger community of Yellowknife about becoming writers.  I told them that words have tremendous power, the power to open our eyes and our hearts. I was honest with them them when I said that working in the arts can be a financial struggle.  I also told them that I have never regretted my decision to follow my heart and become a writer.  I hope that some of the those I spoke to on my norther tour will consider telling their stories. We need to hear their voices. We need the power of change that story can bring.

For those of you who may be considering writing, here is one option.

Indigenous Writing Program
September 7 – 19, 2015 (on-site residency)
September 28- December 4, 2015 (online program)
Application deadline: May 1, 2015
Note to Canadian applicants: Applications are made directly to the Canada Council for the Arts.

About the Indigenous Writing Program
The Indigenous Writing Program is a unique opportunity for writers to develop their writing and storytelling voices amidst a vibrant community of renowned faculty and fellow writers. It offers an extended period of writing time: an intensive two-week residency at The Banff Centre followed by 10 weeks working online from your own home or work space. Writers accepted to the program will receive invaluable one-on-one editorial feedback with outstanding faculty during the residency and continue working online with a mentor-editor throughout the 10 weeks.
The Indigenous Writing Program integrates one-on-one and group sessions, focused writing time, and the opportunity to present one’s work alongside faculty in a dynamic reading series at The Banff Centre. The program supports Indigenous storytellers by enabling concentrated manuscript development under the mentorship of acclaimed Indigenous writers, by cultivating the important role of writers as storytellers, and by integrating culturally relevant perspectives and guidance throughout the program. Writers apply directly to the Canada Council for the Arts.
Applicants accepted to the program will receive a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts which covers 100% of program fees, accommodation, meals, and travel.

The Banff Centre is a wonderful place for creators to kick it up a notch. Check out some of their other programs too.

Yep, it’s that time of the year again…Freedom to Read Week

February 22-28.

Here’s my banned book choice. What’s yours?

You won’t make a lot of money, but Chicken Soup for the Soul is a good place to break into publishing. Here are a few of the broad themes they are looking for in the near future

Dreams & Premonitions
When we are asleep, we dream. Are dreams a connection to the unconscious mind? Are they omens of things to come – both good and bad? In our dreams we can be anything we want to be. We are looking for stories about your dreams and premonitions and the impact they have had on your life. What have you learned from your dreams? Did your dreams come true? Did a dream or premonition strengthen your faith or help you change the direction your life was headed in? Did a premonition serve as a warning about something that was going to happen? The deadline for story and poem submissions is March 15, 2015.

Make Your Own Luck
Luck is not always just chance. You have to be ready and willing to seize the opportunities that are in front of you and make your own good things happen. How did you take advantage of chance events and make the most of them? How did you make the most of what life has to offer? How did your positive outlook change the direction your life was taking? We also would love to publish amazing stories of just plain serendipity. The deadline for story and poem submissions is March 31, 2015.

Merry Christmas!
Our holiday books are very popular. We do a new edition every other year and so we are now collecting stories for our Christmas 2015 book. Share your special stories about the holiday season – including Chanukah and Kwanzaa – from inspirational and joyous, to heartwarming and humorous. Remember all of the stories in our Christmas books are “Santa Safe” – we don’t want to spoil the magic for children. This title was previously posted as Stories about the Christmas Season. If you submitted a story for that title it will considered for Merry Christmas! The deadline for story and poem submissions has been extended to March 31, 2015.

Think Possible
We all know the story about the little engine that could: I think I can, I think I can, I think I can… Almost anything is possible if you think you can. You can dream big, overcome challenges and turn adversity into opportunity. You can change your outlook and listen to your heart and move forward into the life you want. How did you “think possible” and how did it change your life? The deadline for story and poem submissions is April 30, 2015.

Volunteering & Giving Back
We’re making another book about volunteering! How has your life been changed by volunteering? Have you been a volunteer in a hospital, a school or in your community? What have you done with your life that makes you feel good and has also made this world a better place? What have you done to make a difference in the lives of others? Or do you want to thank a volunteer who helped you? Share your true stories about how you found purpose, passion, and joy in your life or how a volunteer helped you. And by volunteer, we mean an unpaid position, so save those stories about paid heroes in your life for another book! The deadline for story and poem submissions has been extended to March 31, 2015.

ala
The American Library Association (ALA) announced the top books, video and audio books for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its Midwinter Meeting in Chicago.

If you write and illustrated books or hope to one day you need to know what the industry judges as the best. Make the books below part of your “To Read” List.

The winners for the main awards are included. The link for all the awards is at the bottom:

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature:

THE CROSSOVER, written by Kwame Alexander, is the 2015 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Two Newbery Honor Books also were named:

EL DEAFO by Cece Bell, illustrated by Cece Bell and published by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS.

BROWN GIRL DREAMING written by Jacqueline Woodson and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC.

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:

THE ADVENTURES OF BEEKLE: The Unimaginary Friend, illustrated by Dan Santat, is the 2015 Caldecott Medal winner. The book was written by Dan Santat and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Six Caldecott Honor Books also were named:

1. NANA IN THE CITY, illustrated by Lauren Castillo, written by Lauren Castillo and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

2. THE NOISY PAINT BOX: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art, illustrated by Mary GrandPre, written by Barb Rosenstock and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

3. SAM & DAVEDIG A HOLE, illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett and published by Candlewick Press.

4. VIVA FRIDA, illustrated by Yuyi Morales, written by Yuyi Morales and published by Roaring Brook Press, a Neal Porter Book.

5. THE RIGHT WORD: Roget and His Thesaurus, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen Bryant, and published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

6. THIS ONE SUMMER, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, written by Mariko Tamaki and published by First Second.

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award

recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:

BROWN GIRL DREAMING, written by Jacqueline Woodson, is the King Author Book winner. The book is published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC.

Three King Author Honor Books were selected:

1. Kwame Alexander for “The Crossover,” published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing.

2. Marilyn Nelson for “How I Discovered Poetry,” illustrated by Hadley Hooper and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Books (USA) LLC.

3. Kekla Magoon for “How It Went Down,” published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC.

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:

FIREBIRD, illustrated by Christopher Myers, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book was written by Misty Copeland and published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC.

TWO KING Illustrator Honor Book were selected:

Christian Robinson for “Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker,” by Patricia Hruby Powell, published by Chronicle Books LLC.

Frank Morrison for “Little Melba and Her Big Trombone,” by Katheryn Russell-Brown, published by Lee and Low Books, Inc.

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:

1. I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN, written by Jandy Nelson, is the 2015 Printz Award winner. The book is published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group USA, a Penguin Random House Company.
Four Printz Honor Books also were named:

2. AND WE SYAY, by Jenny Hubbard, and published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc., a Penguin Random House Company.

3. THE CATNIVAL AT BRAY, by Jessie Ann Foley, and published by Elephant Rock Books.

4. GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE, by Andrew Smith, and published by Dutton Books, an imprint of Penguin Group USA, a Penguin Random House Company.

5. THIS ONE SUMMER, by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, and published by First Second.

Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience:

1. A BOY AND A JAGUAR, written by Alan Rabinowitz, illustrated by Catia Chien and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, wins the award for children ages 0 to 10.

2. RAIN REIGN, written by Ann M. Martin and published by A FEIWEL AND FRIENDS BOOK, is the winner of the middle-school (ages 11-13).

3. The teen (ages 13-18) award winner is GIRLS LIKE US, written by Gail Giles and published by Candlewick Press.

Alex Awards

for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:

1. ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE, by Anthony Doerr, published by Scribner, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

2. BELLWEATHER RHAPSODY, by Kate Racculia, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

3. BINGO’S RUN, by James A. Levine, published by Spiegel & Grau, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company.

4. CONFESSIONS, by Kanae Minato, translated by Stephen Snyder, published by Mulholland Books, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

5. EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU, by Celeste Ng, published by The Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group LLC, a Penguin Random House Company.

6. LOCK IN, by John Scalzi, a Tor Book published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

7. THE MARTIAN, by Andy Weir, published by Crown Publishers, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company.

8. THE TERRORIST’S SON: A Story of Choice, by Zak Ebrahim with Jeff Giles, published by TED Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

9. THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD, by Michael Koryta, published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

10. WOLF IN WHITE VAN, by John Darnielle, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

HERE IS THE LINK TO WATCH THE LIVE PRESENTATION OF THE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CHICAGO:http://live.webcastinc.com/ala/2015/live/

READ the Press Release: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-library-association-announces-2015-youth-media-award-winners-300028995.html

After more than 20 years of being in print, Jessie’s Island will be released in hard cover. It’s been on the BC best seller’s list since it was released in 1992, but this is it’s first appearance in hard cover. Hurray for me. Hurray or Sheena Lott whose art is simply gorgeous. Hurray for Ann Featherstone, editor extraordinaire, who helped to make this a special book. And, hurray to Orca Book Publishers for supporting their backlist. I’m so fortunate to have worked with all of you.