[kenneth-major Posts: 43 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

One of my critique group members and I are working on stories for the subject contest. I emailed the contact person with a question and so far have not received a response . My question is as follows: Does the story need to be nonfiction or can it be a fictional story that mixes in ghostly NF elements?  Any information on this question would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Ken Major

[David Wright Posts: 788 Status: Offline Tell me that again.]

I think the instructions of "Inspired by local/regional events or myths"  give a lot of freedom.

They also say "We hope you will put your own spin on the story, your own voice and/or background, to ensure that the story is relevant to our contemporary times."

So I'd say there's a fair amount of latitude. And I think the "place" is more important than veracity.

Just my opinion though. I am not connected to the contest.

[kenneth-major Posts: 43 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Hi David,

Thank you for responding. My gut was that they were looking for NF, but my critique partner thought otherwise. Hopefully, we will get a response from the contest contact person soon. I emailed the person three days ago.

Ken

[Vijaya Posts: 6,791 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

I'm with David. The instructions give a lot leeway whether the story is fiction or nonfiction: "Nationally known or relatively unheard of, based in fact or based entirely in local lore, these stories should capture the spooky side of the U.S."  Good luck.

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 6,090 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

The people I've known who've submitted have written fiction and that was my take too, but I thought the deadline had passed. Never mind. I see they extended it. Good luck.

[kenneth-major Posts: 43 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Debbie and Vijaya,

Thank you for your response.  I never did get a response, which I thought was strange. As a result, my critique partner and I just submitted our entries.

Ken

[Vijaya Posts: 6,791 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Ken, many contests don't acknowledge your entry, but good luck!

[kenneth-major Posts: 43 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

They did acknowledge my entry via an email response copy of the entry. But that wasn't the issue. I had a specific question that never got answered. But that's okay. I just wanted to clarify thing. Thanks.

[Vijaya Posts: 6,791 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Oh, I see. I'm glad you got your entry in.

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 6,090 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

Good luck.

[kenneth-major Posts: 43 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thanks, Debbie!

[toni-floyd Posts: 2 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Does anyone know when we will know if our story has been chosen or not?

[RebeccaL-G Posts: 1,177 Status: Offline RA SCBWI Cen-Cal WWW]

I heard the short list will be decided by January 30 and the final decision, in conjunction with the publisher, is expected by March 15.

[toni-floyd Posts: 2 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thank you for the info on decision dates!

[kenneth-major Posts: 43 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

FYI-I received an email rejection from SCBWI on 2/2/21. Good luck to all those still in the running! I understand there were quite a few entries according to the email.

Ken

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 6,090 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

The Insight that came out today mentioned they were still deciding. (It was at the end of the diversity events piece.) Continued good luck to those who entered.

Ken, you might consider trying a magazine for your story, either before the book pubs or a few years after it. I think the magazines are going to see a slew of these for a while. Onward!

[kenneth-major Posts: 43 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Hi Debbie,

Thanks for the heads up on Insight details regarding the Haunted States entries. I am in the process of trying to find a magazine that might seriously consider my story. I really appreciate all the advice I get from people on the Blueboard.

Ken