Family Travel Forum Teen Travel Writing Scholarship 2012

Have you ever taken an unexpectedly wonderful — or terrible but funny — trip with your family?  Have advice on how to make the most of a cultural experience or destination?  Have you gone somewhere — near or far — that opened up new ways of looking at the world?

Family Travel Forum (FTF), the web’s leading trip-planning resource for family travelers, and the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), a non-profit organization that promotes responsible journalism and encourages the conservation and preservation of travel resources worldwide, are offering a scholarship to encourage teens to share their travel experiences.

The rules of the annual FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship are simple: Submit a travel blog about where you went and what it meant to you, what worked and what didn’t, what you learned from the trip, or how it changed you. Use words, images and video to share your adventure with other travelers — it can be funny, serious or contemplative — as long as it’s informative.

The top three winners will receive cash awards. Twenty-five finalists will win honorable mention awards and travel gifts.

FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarships

• First Place: $1,000 & Vacation for Four to Universal Orlando Resort
• Second Place: $500
• Third Place: $200
• 25 Honorable Mentions: Travel prizes.
• 1 Honorary Award for Best Photography
• 1 Honorary Award for Best Video

All winners will receive a Family Travel Forum Certificate of Commendation and all complete submissions will be published on Family Travel Forum’s MyFamilyTravels.com website.

FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship Rules

Eligibility for FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship

• All applicants must sign up for the MyFamilyTravels.com community prior to submitting an essay.
• Applications will be accepted between April 16, 2012 and August 1, 2012
• Applicants must be ages 13-18 and attending grades 8-12 as of June 27, 2012. Graduating seniors are only eligible if you submit your completed travel blog on or before June 27, 2012.
• The travel experience you write about must have occurred between the ages of 12-18, and within the last five years.
• Applicants must be attending junior high or high school in the United States or Canada, or an American international school abroad, or be enrolled in a U.S. homeschool program.

Submission Requirements for FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship

• Travel blogs must be no more than 600 words in length.
• Entries must include text and be illustrated by at least one photo, digital artwork or video.
• Travel blogs must include practical details about your travels so that others can follow in your footsteps. Details should include names of resorts, hotels or cruise ships, the local beach, organized volunteer and teen tour programs, URLs for places you went, etc.
• Travel blogs must be submitted online using the FTF Teen Travel Scholarship Essay Submission Form. Please create a strong, descriptive blog title, and use the editing tools provided to make paragraph breaks or add punctuation, and to upload your photos and or video.
• All applications must be received no later than 11:59pm ET on August 1, 2012. Late entries will not be considered.
• Your Travel blog must be your original creation and must not have been previously published.
• Multiple submissions are not allowed and we accept only one travel blog per entrant.

If you are notified that you are a Finalist, you will be contacted after September 28, 2012 and asked to send a copy of your transcript from your school, as well as a permission letter from your parents if you are under 18. More information about the Parent Permission Letter is available on the FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship FAQ page. These documents must be received by email, fax or snail mail by October 10, 2012.

Here is the link for more info:  http://myfamilytravels.com/Teen_travel_writing

UK & Ireland Poetry Competition 10-13 yrs. old

The John Betjeman poetry competition for young people 2012 on Young Authors and Artists Group. The competition is open to 10-13 year-olds in the UK and the Republic of Ireland until a closing date of 31st July.

The judges are the poet Grace Nichols and the author and journalist Andrew Martin.

The first prize is £1000 (£500 to the winner and £500 to the English department of his or her school or local library).

The winning school and the school that generates the most number of entries will win poet visits.  There are also Eurostar tickets and book tokens for winning entries.  Each child is invited to send in (by post or online) one poem on the theme of ‘place’.  They can choose anywhere that is important to them – from their bedroom to somewhere they visited on holiday, from their favourite park to their favourite building.   The subject of their poem could be a city or a garden or a beach or a street.  We are asking them to capture in words what that place means to them.

Winners of the poetry competition are invited to read their poems aloud to an audience of judges, entrants, teachers and parents as well as sponsors and press, at a prize giving held on National Poetry Day, Thursday 4th October, on the upper concourse of St Pancras International, next to the bronze statue of Sir John Betjeman by Martin Jennings.  This year the prize of £1000 will be presented by an emcee (to be announced shortly) and Grace Nichols will read some of her poems.

Winners of the poetry competition are invited to read their poems aloud to an audience at an awards ceremony held on National Poetry Day, Thursday 4th October,  on the upper concourse of St Pancras International, next to the bronze statue of Sir John Betjeman.

The competition is free to enter and online entry form can be found at our website http://www.betjemanpoetrycompetition.com . Poems can also be sent via the post and should be addressed to: The John Betjeman children’s poetry competition, PO BOX3770, Royal Mail, Swan Lane, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, SN7 7JB.

Good Luck,

Kathy

Looking for Submissions From Kids

KIKI http://www.kikimag.com/submit/submit.php#.T1z-j_WaSK4 

Do you have the writer’s bug? Or are you a shutterbug with some great photos to share with other Kiki readers? Or an artist or designer waiting to be published and discovered? At Kiki, we love to see what our readers are doing, and we’re sure that Kiki readers want to see what you’ve been working on, too. Whatever your creative talent, submit your work to Kiki. Send us your illustrations, artwork, photos, or articles, and one of your creative masterpieces might end up being featured in the magazine!

If you’re over 14 years old, go ahead and upload your submission. If you’re under 14, you can send us whatever you have to Kiki Reader Submissions at 118 W Pike St, Covington, KY 41011. It all goes to the same place! But remember, if you’re under 14, an adult can always upload your information for you. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Email your submission to submissions@kikimag.com

University of Chicago International Science Essay Contest

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO’S NEW COSMIC FRONTIERS INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE ESSAY COMPETITION
http://www.newfrontiersinastronomy.org/

The New Cosmic Frontiers International Science Essay Competition On the Nature of our Universe and its Habitats is open to high school and college students. Its purpose is to inspire students to consider careers in science and to nurture their enthusiasm for the subject, and to engage young minds in creative, intellectual activities essential in scientific endeavors.

Winners will be awarded significant monetary prizes to support their education and given an extraordinary opportunity to meet today’s world-renowned scientists and scholars at a conference and award ceremony, held in Philadelphia, on October 12-13, 2012.

Deadline June 15, 2012.

CATEGORY 1: ESSAY THEME FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Are we alone in the Universe? Or, are there other life and intelligence beyond the solar system?

First Prize – $25,000 cash prize.
Second Prizes – Two essays will be chosen for $10,000.
Third Prizes – Five essays will be chosen for $5,000.

CATEGORY 2: ESSAY THEME FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

What is the origin of complexity in the universe?

First Prize – $50,000 cash prize.
Second Prizes – Two essays will be chosen for $25,000.
Third Prizes – Five essays will be chosen for $10,000.

In addition, up to 10 honorable mentions of $3,000 each will be awarded in either category.

WICKED Young Writers Award – UK only

WICKED YOUNG WRITERS AWARD
http://www.wickedyoungwriters.com/about_the_award.html

There will be the opportunity to enter into five different age categories:

5-7 years old
8-10 years old
11-14 years old
15-17 years old
18-25 years old

WICKED Young Writers Award Competition Rules 2012 1. These rules (the “Rules”) relate to the competition (the “Competition”) for the WICKED Young Writers’ Award (the “Award”). PLEASE READ THESE RULES CAREFULLY BEFORE ENTERING THE COMPETITION.  YOU MUST HAVE YOUR PARENT’S OR GUARDIAN’S CONSENT TO ENTER IF YOU ARE UNDER 18. 2. Further information on the Award can be found on the website at www.WickedYoungWriters.com (the “Website”). 3. The Competition is run by WICKED London Production Limited (“WLPL”). 4. By entering the Competition entrants will be deemed to have accepted the Rules and be bound by them. 5. The Competition opens on Tuesday 6 December 2011. 6. Entries must be received by no later than 17:00 BST on Sunday 22 July 2012. Late, illegible, damaged, incorrect or illegal entries will be disqualified. WLPL cannot take any responsibility for any such entries. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt by WLPL. 7. Entry to the Competition is free. 8. The Competition is open to young people between the ages of 5 and 25 years of age as at the Competition closing date who are resident in the UK excluding employees of WLPL or Competition judges (or members of their immediate families).  There are 5 age categories for entry:  5-7 years old, 8-10 years old, 11-14 years old, 15-17 years old and 18-25 years old.  WLPL reserves the right to ask for proof of age from entrants. 9. Entrants under 18 years of age must have permission to enter the Competition from a parent or guardian who will be deemed to have accepted and be bound by the Rules.  WLPL reserves the right to ask for proof of permission.  Entries without permission will be disqualified. 10. Entries may comprise stories, poems or drama.  Each entry must be the entrant’s own original work.  Entries must be typewritten and no longer than 750 words.  Entries may be accompanied by illustrations, but these will not be taken into account by the Competition judges. 11. It is not necessary to have good spelling or grammatical skills to enter the Competition.  Entries will be judged on originality and creativity, rather than how they are executed. The decision of the Competition judges is final. 12. Entries may be made by post or submitted online via the Website.  Entries submitted online must be in Microsoft Word .doc or .dox format and the maximum file is 2MB.  Entries cannot be returned. 13. Entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form.  The entry forms for both postal and online entries are available on the Website. Entries may be made by individual entrants or by teachers on behalf of their pupils. There are different entry forms for individual and teacher entries made by post, and two online entry forms. Where multiple entries are made by a teacher all entrants must be in the same age category. 14. Each piece of work entered into the Competition must be marked with the entrant’s name and age.  Where multiple pieces of work are submitted by a teacher, each individual piece of work must also be marked with the school name and address. 15. A panel of teachers selected by WLPL (the “Panel”) will review all entries and select the Competition finalists (the “Finalists”).  There will be 5 Finalists from each age category. 16. The Finalists will be notified by Monday 1 October 2012 using the contact details on their entry form. If WLPL is unable to contact any Finalist by Sunday 7 October 2012, WLPL may select another entrant as a substitute Finalist. 17. Each Finalist’s entry will be published in a WICKED Young Writers Award 2012 anthology (the “Anthology”), the proceeds from the sale of which may be put towards the continuation of the Award annually. 18. Finalists will be invited to attend an Award ceremony (the “Ceremony”), the date, time and location of which will be notified in advance.  Failure to attend the Ceremony will not affect an entry’s eligibility for the Award.  Finalists must confirm whether or not they will attend the Ceremony by the date specified on the invitation.  Failure to respond to the invitation will be treated as an inability to attend. 19. The date, time and location of the Ceremony may be subject to change at the discretion of WLPL. 20. The Finalists’ entries will be judged by the Panel with the addition of Michael Morpurgo as chair.  One winner will be chosen from each age category. 21. The 5 winners (the “Winners”) selected by the judges will each receive the following prize: Four tickets to see the London production of WICKED at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, London and an opportunity to meet cast members after the show.  Prize tickets are strictly subject to availability and are valid for a Monday to Friday 7.30 pm or Wednesday and Saturday 2:30 pm performance excluding school holidays. A writing master-class from one of the Award judges. 22. The two schools that submit the most entries as decided by the Competition judges will receive a range of books selected by WLPL for their school libraries. 23. All prizes are not transferable.  No cash alternative is available for any prize. 24. WLPL reserves the right to cancel the Competition, to offer alternative prizes and to change the Rules at any stage. 25. In consideration for WLPL’s acceptance of an entry and by submitting an entry to the Competition: each entrant and (if an entrant is under 18) his or her parent or guardian gives WLPL permission to use and publish his or her entry to the Competition in any media and format throughout the world, including in the Anthology and in a gallery on the Website. each entrant and (if an entrant is under 18) his or her parent or guardian waives all moral rights in his or her entry to the Competition; and each entrant and (if an entrant is under 18) his or her parent or guardian warrants that nothing in his or her entry will infringe the copyright or any other intellectual property right of any third party or defame any third party. 26. Each Finalist agrees to sign a release form assigning copyright in his or her entry to WLPL and confirming the permissions, waivers and warranties given above.  Finalists under the age of 18 will be required to obtain the signature of a parent or guardian on the release form. 27. WLPL’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use of the Website are on the Website.  Entrants will be deemed to have accepted the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and be bound by them. 28. Entrants to the Competition consent to the use by WLPL of their name, age and town of residence to announce the winners of the Competition and to identify entrants in any publication of an entry in accordance with the Rules.  Entrants also consent to the use of their personal information by WLPL to contact Finalists and prize winners, to verify compliance with the Rules and for administration of the Competition.  Finalists and Winners may be required to take part in publicity for the Award and the Competition. 29. Any questions concerning the Rules or the Competition may be directed to info@WickedYoungWriters.com. 30. These Rules are governed by English law and the Courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising out of the Rules.

TEEN WRITING CLASSES

TEEN WRITING CLASSES – NY AND ONLINE http://www.writingclasses.com/CourseDescriptionPages/Teen.php/ClassTypeCode/T

Gotham teen classes are designed to foster creativity and self- expression in a supportive atmosphere. There are no grades, no exams, no wrong answers–just creative writing. Each class is taught by a faculty member adept at helping young writers discover and develop their unique voices. These classes are fun and pressure-free, but students will develop thinking and writing skills that will prove valuable in school and beyond.

Better writers produce stronger college applications, and an extracurricular writing class is an impressive addition to any profile. Teen classes are open to ages 13-17. They are offered in New York City and online.

Magic Dragon Magazine

Patricia Roesch is the editor of Magic Dragon, a magazine of children’s writing and art. They consider for publication original work from children 12 years old and younger. Magic Dragon is non-profit and carries no advertising. We received a Distinguished Achievement Award for educational publishing from the Association for Educational Publishers in 2008. Here is their web site: www.magicdragonmagazine.com.

 

 

Lions Club International Writing Contest

LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL CONTEST
 www.lionsclubs.org/EN/member-center/online-community/official-contests/lions-international-essay-contest.php

 Open to students considered visually impaired and will be 11, 12, or 13 years of age on November 15, 2012.

One grand  prize will receive an award and $5,000.

The contest theme  is “Imagine Peace.” Essays must be no longer than 500 words.

Only one entry per student.

Spilling Ink Short Story Contest

SPILLING INK CONTEST
 http://www.spillinginkthebook.com/creativity-blog/2011/11/29/new-spilling-ink-contest-for-ages-8-12.html
 
For ages 8-12 in US & Canada. Deadline February 15, 2012.

Send your best short story of any length up to 1,000 words.
 
 1st Prize $25 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble and a Skype visit to your classroom from Anne or Ellen
 
 2nd Prize $15 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble
 
 3rd Prize $10 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble
 
 All winners will be published on the Spilling Ink Creativity Blog.

Deadline: February 15, 2012

How to Enter Paste your story into the Message section of the Contact page e-mail. Remember to include your name, age, and story title. Also, write “Story Contest” in the Subject line.

Here’s the Contact page link: http://www.spillinginkthebook.com/contact/

Two Days left – 2011 Seventeen Magazine Fiction Contest!

Some girls just have a way with words. And a story to tell. And could definitely find a way to spend an extra $5,000.

If that sounds like you then you have to enter the Seventeen Magazine Fiction Contest.

Seventeen, Figment, and Scholastic are teaming up to bring you this year’s fiction contest! One lucky winner will get a $5,000 cash prize, the opportunity to have her story published on Seventeen.com, and a phone call with Maggie Stiefvater, author of the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy – Shiver, Linger, and Forever.

To enter, all you need to do is write an amazing, completely original story about absolutely anything, of no more than 500 words. Sounds doable, right?

All entries must be submitted by December 31, 2011 (at 11:59:59, ET), so don’t procrastinate, and get your story in now! Then vote for your favorite stories by “hearting” them — you can heart as many stories as you like, and it’s your hearts that determine 50 of the 60 finalists. The top 50 hearted entries, plus 10 wildcards chosen by Seventeen, will be judged by the Editors from Seventeen magazine and Maggie Stiefvater. They’ll consider all 60 finalists, and announce one grand prize winner on or around April 1, 2012. Remember, your story can be on any topic you like, so be creative!

Sorry dudes, this contest is open to girls ages 13 to 21 only!