Writing Contest Makes 1st-8th Graders Published Authors

BAY AREA, Ca. – Society of Young Inklings, an organization with the mission of empowering young authors, opened their doors for submissions of short stories and poems by 1st-8th graders for the Inklings Book Contest. Up to twenty 1st-8th grade winners received one on one mentorships with authors to learn firsthand the professional process of revising work prior to publication. Revised stories and poems are being published in the annual Inklings Book Anthology, to be released August 2017 with a celebration party to be held Sunday, August 27 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Hicklebee's Childrens Books, located at 1376 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125. All of the authors will receive their copy of the book at the celebration and will have an opportunity to read an excerpt and sign books for fans.
www.younginklings.org
The Society of Young Inklings instructional staff, all practicing and/or published writers, offer long-term guidance for young people who love to write.
Submitting a short story or poem to the Inklings Book Contest is an excellent way to learn about what Society of Young Inklings has to offer. All applicants will receive feedback, even if they do not win a mentorship and publication.

“Our goal is to provide an authentic learning experience to every applicant,” says Executive Director, Naomi Kinsman. “Though we can’t offer mentorships to all, we do want to pinpoint strengths and areas of growth for each writer so they can continue to develop their unique writing voices.”

Students need not have taken a class with the Inklings to apply. Even the application process provides a learning opportunity, with a revision checklist to focus young writers on the elements of their work they will want to revisit before submitting it for the contest. Society of Young Inklings serves over 600 young writers in the Bay Area each year and has been developing new programs in cities across the country.

“The skills of strong communication, problem-solving, and empathy are all developed through the process of learning to write creatively,” Kinsman says. “Writers have the power to touch another person’s heart, and thus, the power to change the world.”