Last Thursday, I noticed Go Teen Writers had 249 followers. Which is pretty incredible, since at this time last year, this blog didn’t even have 49 followers. What a fun year it’s been, and I’m so, so grateful for every one of you.
My favorite part of Go Teen Writers is getting to hear about the stories you’re writing. To celebrate hitting 250 followers, we are doing a free write, same as we did back when we hit 150 followers. (A free write, as you might assume, means I don’t provide a prompt sentence or a theme or anything. All the words are yours to do with as you wish.)
So if you have a book you’re working on, you’ll be able to submit the first couple hundred words and get feedback from the amazing published writers listed below.
Here’s how the word limit is going to work. However many “followers” Go Teen Writers has by this time (7am) next Monday morning (the 28th) is how many words you’ll be allowed to submit for your free write. So if a week from now Go Teen Writers still has 250 followers, you’ll be allowed 250 words. If there’s 273 followers, you’ll be allowed 273 words. If there are 3,000 followers … you get the point.
So, if you hang around here but you don’t officially “follow,” now would be a good time to click that button. If you want to be allowed to submit more words, tell your friends about Go Teen Writers, and have them click the button too. For the next week, I’ll leave the followers widget up at the top left to make life a little easier.
I’ll announce the official word count next Monday morning, and your entries will be due by 11:59pm, Sunday December 4th. Since you know you’ll be allowed at least 250 words, you can at least get started!
This contest is just for those ages 25 and under. One entry per person.
There will be 10 finalists – all of whom will receive line edits and detailed feedback about their story.
Submit your entry by clicking here or emailing to me at Stephanie(at)GoTeenWriters.com. (No attachments, please!) Make sure to include your full name and email address.
If you submitted to last round’s free write, you may NOT resubmit that entry.
Just like the other writing prompts we do here on Go Teen Writers, your entry is intended to be the opening of a story. It should not be an entire story within itself. If you’re at all confused by that, check out the winning entries from the 150 word free write and see what those writers did that captured the notice of the judges.
I’m indebted to the lovely ladies below. I sent out an email last Thursday saying, “Pretty, pretty please – I know it’s the holiday season, and I know I can’t tell you exactly how many words you’ll be reading, but will you consider judging for this special round?”
All three of them were so enthusiastic and jumped to do it. That’s because they care about the next generation of writers. If you enter, please take the time to tell them thank you!
In alpha order:
Julie Garmon is a Southern author who’s not afraid to tackle sticky subjects. A nugget of redeeming hope hides buried in her writing. Her tagline is “Southern Stories of Grit and Grace.” She’s been a regular contributor to Daily Guideposts since 2003, and writes on assignment for Guideposts magazine. She’s published with Sweet 16, PLUS, Angels on Earth, Homelife, Today’s Christian, Today’s Christian Woman, www.sober24.com, www.crosswalk.com, and www.urbanministries.com. Julie won a coveted spot to the Guideposts’ writers contest in 2004, and was chosen to attend subsequent Guideposts’ workshops based on winning entries.
Ashley Mays
Ashley Mays is the former Editorial Assistant for Brio and Brio & Beyond magazines and currently writes her own fiction for teens. She enjoys rock climbing, people watchin gin airports, and expanding her shoe collection. Ashley lives with her husband in Colorado. No, they don’t ski. Learn more about Ashley on her website: www.ashley-mays.com.
Roseanna White
Roseanna M. White, author of two Biblical love stories and LOVE FINDS YOU IN ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND (December 2011) makes her home in the mountains of Western Maryland with her husband, two small children, and the colony of dust bunnies living under her couch. After graduating from St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD, she and her husband founded the Christian Review of Books, where she is the editor. She is a member of ACFW, HisWriters, Biblical Fiction Writers, and HEWN Marketing.