It’s summer, so let’s have some fun, shall we?

How about a contest?

Good. I thought you’d like that.

And this one is easy. You don’t have to send a manuscript. All you need to enter is a premise.

That’s right! A picture book premise.

Make it unique, make it funny, make it touching. In less than 100 words tell me your story’s premise. What’s the problem? What crazy situation has got your character all flummoxed? Imagine it’s your book’s jacket copy. What would you say to sell the audience on your book? You’ve only got a few seconds to capture someone’s attention, so make it snappy.

The best premise will win a free critique–and get this, you don’t even have to have the book written yet! Think of a great premise now, claim your critique later. I’ll honor the free critique for as long as you need (although it’s non-transferable and its cash value is 1/100th of a cent.)

There are three steps to enter:

  1. Subscribe to my blog via email if you haven’t already. (See handy button in the top left column of my blog.)
  2. Send your premise in the body of an email with the subject line “PB Premise Contest” to tarawrites at yahoo dot you-know-what. All entries must be received by Sunday, August 14th. (One entry per person, please. So make it your best.)
  3. Tell your friends. The person who refers the most people to my blog will also win a critique! (Just let me know in a comment below who you referred. I’m working on the honor system here.)

That’s all! So easy-peasy! I’ll announce the winners the week of August 15th.

One last thing–if your premise is anything like one of my current projects, I will notify you, just to let you know, I’m not taking anyone’s premise. I’ve got enough of my own begging me to write them!