Sheryl McFarlane

Picture Book Writing Contest

Sadly, Canadians can’t take part in the Lee & Low Books New Voices Picture Book Writing Contest, but if you live south of the border, and are a writer of color, this is a good one…a cash prize of $1,000 is a bonus to the real prize, which is a publishing contract.

Deadline: 09-30-2014

WRITING CONTEST WEBSITE

To recognize the talents of children’s picture book authors, Lee & Low Books (est. 2000) is inviting U.S.-based authors of color to submit manuscripts (up to 1500 words) to its 15th Annual New Voices Award for a chance to win a cash prize of $1,000 and a publishing contract with the company. 

A second-place winner will receive $500.

The judges accept unagented, original, unpublished children’s stories only. Categories include fiction, poetry, and non-fiction appropriate for kids, ages 5-12.

Submissions should focus on the necessities of children of color and engage young readers with relatable stories. You can submit up to two entries per application.

But, what happens when you want to read one of  them?

You can even incude a mini book. Here's a centre piece with "The Nutcracker Suite".

I’m not the craftiest type, but one of the things I really enjoy doing in the weeks leading up to Xmas is filling the house with greenery.  I love that it costs virtually nothing to create beautiful centre pieces and swags.  I  love the way they look and smell and I particularly love how easy it is be creative with greenery, some wire, and a few bits of ribbon.  And, greenery arrangements can make fabulous but inexpensive gifts.

What a treat. My daughter Cloe, who has been a Big Sister for about 5 years now,  brought her Little Sister home for a visit.  They went bike riding, toured downtown, picked strawberries in my back garden, went for a hike and walked to Willows Beach.  We only managed to make one pancake breakfast, but we did sneak in a BBQ between rain showers yesterday.  I was sad to have to put them onto the ferry this afternoon, but at least I was able to send Nomi home with piles of books as she’s an avid reader.

If you have a spare bit of time, Big Sisters and Big Brothers need you.  You can make an incredible difference in a young person’s life.  Don’t wait, sign up today.

   
I’m finally finished.  It took three days and three of us to clear, power wash, re-stain and put all the plant pots back on the miles of deck I have .  I think the biggest job was moving the 25 or so very heavy ceramic plant pots off and back on the deck.  Or, maybe it was doing all the edging.  With decking on three of four sides of my house there was a lot of edging!  I meant to take before, during and after pictures but I forgot.  I did get one in process picture and here is one of the finished work…it looks so good.  Now I can relax and just enjoy it with friends, or a good book and a glass of wine…if it would only stop raining!