SFC Contests
Writing is a key part of our everyday lives. However, learning to write to a publication's specifications is the first hurdle all children's writers must learn. Entering contests helps writers hone their skills. Many editors, including us here at Stories for Children Magazine, repeatedly see manuscripts that do not match our guidelines and specifications. Why is that?
Stories for Children Magazine believes writing contests not only help hone writers' skills, but also help writers learn to follow the guidelines laid out by a publication. Writing contests have exact specifications to even be considered for judging—let alone to win. Contests are an excellent way for writers to practice following a publication's standards, guidelines, and specifications. Having a winning entry will not only look good when submitting to editors, but it will help get you published--that’s not to mention the pleasure of winning a prize such as a trophy or maybe even some extra money.
SFC Standard Contest Guidelines:
All contest entries must be submitted with the contest's Official Entry Form (if requested) and any contest entry fees.
Young authors (17 and under) must submit the contest’s Official Entry Form (if requested) and a Minor Release form.
Specifications for SFC contest's: These will vary from contest to contest. Make sure to read them thoroughly before submitting your entry.
Submission Requirements: Any original unpublished piece not accepted by other publishers or Stories for Children Magazine at the time is eligible.
Contest Fees: If a Stories for Children Magazine contest has an entry fee, you will need to do one of the following based on the contests information: 1) Send a copy of your entry form with a check or money order, and state you have sent your money via standard mail in the body of your submission email. 2) Pay by credit card or PayPal (either on the contest page, stating this in the body of your submission email or Pay by credit card/PayPal via an invoice from SFC). Note: all contest fees are to help sponsor future youth contests, help cover SFC costs such as reading fees and running the SFC site, and the SFC Granny Awards. If we receive a high number of contestants in a fee based contest, cash prizes could be awarded.
SFC Contest Judges: All entries will be read and judged by the SFC Editorial Team. Winners will be notified by email on or before the date stated in the contest details. Once this date has passed, all others who did not receive a winner's email may submit their entry elsewhere.
Winners: The winners of Stories for Children Magazine contests will be announced in the "Good News" section of the next current issue.
All 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winning entries will be published in an upcoming issue of Stories for Children Magazine. Prizes will vary from contest to contest. Stories for Children Magazine receives first rights to the prize-winning manuscripts. After one year all rights revert to the author.
