We’ve got THREE Grand Prizes this year!

Before I announce who they are, here’s what everyone should do with all their story ideas on a regular basis:

Firstly, please gather your ideas.

Then, sort them.

Once you have ideas that you like, start fleshing them out. If you’re a Grand Prize winner, you’ll have the opportunity to share your BEST FIVE IDEAS with a kidlit agent (or Tara). They’ll respond with feedback recommending which ideas may be best to pursue as manuscripts. (Saves time writing stories that won’t be marketable!) To present your ideas in the best light, I recommend writing them out like jacket flap…you know, that marketing copy on the inside cover of a picture book. Here’s jacket flap for my June 2025 release, FLAT CAT, THE CLASS PET:

Flat Cat was born flat. He wasn’t squashed under the lunch lady’s rolling pin. He wasn’t smushed by an avalanche of library books. He was just flat. And most of the time, Flat Cat liked it just like that.

Until one day, when Flat Cat, in the mood for a change of scenery, slips into his friend Willow’s backpack and accompanies her to school, where he gets folded into a paper airplane, passed as a secret note, and used as a bathroom pass. Will Flat Cat be able to escape the chaos? Or will he realize he is keen to be loved and adored?

Go to your local library (which may be in your own house) and read as many jacket flaps as you can to get a feel for them. You can also read jacket flap marketing text online at book retailers.

Then start writing your own for your upcoming masterpieces! If you’re a GRAND PRIZE winner, five of these pitches are what you’ll present to receive feedback.

Without further ado, here are the three winners!

Melissa Morgenlander (paired with Liza Royce Agency)

Shuba Mohan (paired with Stephen Fraser)

ET Charles [bethsbiblio] (paired with Tara Lazar)

I will be emailing you this week to arrange your prizes. Then I will be announcing the daily prizes.

I’ve been dealing with various health issues this year, so I appreciate your patience!