[kenneth-major Posts: 46 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Hello all,

I have been entering contests for many years, but just recently heard about the Astra contest. Does anyone know the history of it? I Googled it, but came up empty. I don't need the contest rules. I found them. Several of our critique members are considering entering it, but I wanted to provide a little background on the history of it and include past winners in a post. Can anyone help me with this? Thank you.

Ken

[dkshumaker Posts: 1,446 Status: Offline]

I forget where I heard about this contest yesterday. But if I remember correctly, this is the first year it's being offered so that is why there is no history about it.

[kenneth-major Posts: 46 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thanks. Someone said it was mentioned in the SCBWI Insight, but I haven't found the reference yet.

[dkshumaker Posts: 1,446 Status: Offline]

Yes, it was in the Insight. Did you not get it? If you're an SCBWI member, you should have gotten the email. . .

[kenneth-major Posts: 46 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I am a member. What month was it in? I just checked out December's issue and I couldn't find it in there.

[dkshumaker Posts: 1,446 Status: Offline]

It's the January Insight. I got it yesterday in my email. Have you checked your Spam account?

[kenneth-major Posts: 46 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Oops! I missed it when I scanned through the email. Thanks!

[dkshumaker Posts: 1,446 Status: Offline]

Glad you found it!

[Trine Posts: 124 Status: Offline]

I think it sounds like a wonderful opportunity!

[kenneth-major Posts: 46 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I agree!

[JulieM Posts: 996 Status: Offline]

I was interested in this contest until I saw that it locks up your manuscript for a long time. It cannot be submitted elsewhere or be under consideration by anywhere else for the duration of the competition (assuming I read the rules correctly).

[kenneth-major Posts: 46 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Hi Julie,

I just reread the SCBWI Insight article about this contest and you are right about having your manuscript being tied up for a while. This seems like an awesome opportunity though to get your writing viewed by an international group of professionals.  When I send things out to publishers that are still open to unsolicited mss, usually it takes 2-6 months to get a response anyway.  I plan to submit in late April before the deadline, which limits the amount of time tied up.  I just don't want to pass up this opportunity. You never know if this could be the beginning of something special for you and it's free too.

Ken

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,068 Status: Offline Language is so cool!]

I submitted a work that fit for this but that I wasn't planning to submit elsewhere at the time. I'm willing to have it sit for a year, but it is a choice.

[JulieM Posts: 996 Status: Offline]

Yes, a great opportunity if it suits your timeline and you understand the constraints.
Best of luck, everyone!