Contest #28

In 50 words or less, set the scene of your Valentine’s Day blind date.

We received over 150 entries to our Blind Date writing contest, and are pleased to announce that our winner is Lori Degman, the proud recipient of a free year of membership with the SCBWI!

Thanks to all who participated in our contest. A new contest will be posted on March 3. In the meantime, please take a few minutes to read the winning entry below.

Lori Degman
Vernon Hills, IL
Member since 2007
WINNER

VALENTINE’S DAY DILEMMA

I made two dates for Valentine's Day,
Boy, what a big mistake!

It wouldn't be right to keep them both,
But which one should I break?

They stood together outside my door,
Each had his own appeal.

One brought a big box of chocolates.
And one brought a publishing deal!

Lori Degman lives in Illinois with her husband and two college age sons. She is a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing in the northern suburbs of Chicago. She has yet to be published but hopes her first book offer will arrive before the chocolate does!

Holly Boker
Lexington, MA
Member since 2007
Honorable Mention

Right outside my doorway
Stood a brown unsightly toad,
With a lone rose in its mouth
And a heart-shaped box that glowed.

"You've got to understand," it croaked.
"I'm a rich and handsome man.
But a witch who hates this special day
Cast a spell and ruined my plan."

Holly Boker is a mother of three (13-year-old twin boys and an 8-year-old girl) living in Lexington, MA. She enjoys writing humorous poetry and picture books for children and hopes to have a book published in the near future. A child therapist and parent counselor with a degree in clinical social work, she loves word play and finds that it makes its way into much of her writing.
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