Calling All Kid Writers! Announcing the NORTHWIND Storytelling Contest

This is cool.

On the occasion of Gary Paulsen’s final book, Northwind, Macmillan is holding a writing contest. Pass this along to your favorite student writers. Here are the details, from the publisher:

Gary Paulsen Northwind Writing Contest
Writing Prompt: At the end of Northwind by Gary Paulsen, Leif turns away from signs of civilization to head back off on his own in a canoe at sea with limited supplies. In 1,000–3,000 words, either continue Leif’s story or write a story about your own character embarking on a journey alone at sea. Submission Form
Contest Description: Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group invites storytellers ages 10–14 to continue the adventure of literary legend Gary Paulsen’s final novel, the New York Times bestseller Northwind.

“Story, as far as I’m concerned, is everything. Simply everything.” —Gary Paulsen

Literary legend Gary Paulsen (1939–2021) takes readers on one last adventure with his novel Northwind, another stunning survival story from the author of Hatchet, set alongside a rugged mythical coastline centuries ago. All storytellers ages 10–14 are invited to continue the adventure in the Northwind Storytelling Contest. Entries are open February 4th through April 4, 2022.

The contest will be judged by Gary’s son, Jim Paulsen; Jennifer Flannery of Flannery Literary, his longtime agent, and Wesley Adams, Gary’s editor at Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers. The judges will be looking for a unique voice and a strong sense of storytelling. The winning storyteller will receive a $500 AMEX gift card, journal, a class set of Northwind, admission to a writing workshop, and see their short story published. Five runners up will be invited to a writing workshop and receive a journal and a copy of Northwind.

Rules and Requirements: https:// bit.ly/NorthwindRules
Notice to Parents: https://bit.ly/NorthwindPrivacyNotice
Privacy Notice: https://us.macmillan.com/privacy-notice

Many will enter, few will win. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., age 10-14. Parental permission is required to enter. Must enter by 12:00 a.m. on April 1, 2022. Void where prohibited. Subject to all applicable laws. For complete rules and requirements, visit bit.ly/NorthwindContestRules.

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