I know, this sounds very odd. But for a long time I've liked the idea of a contest based on a dangling participle, so we're going to do one. It's going to be fun.
So, remember in your old grammar book that talked about dangling participles that made sentences not make any sense, and which were actually pretty funny if you thought about it long enough? If you can't remember what they are, they're something like, "Hanging from a nail in the closet, he found his tie." Now, technically, this sentence is saying that a guy found his tie while he was hanging from a nail in the closet. So, when you submit your story for this contest, you must have in the body of the email a sentence containing a dangling participle. It needs to be clear that it's actually a dangling participle, something that doesn't normally make sense. Then you need to use that sentence in your story, and it must make sense.
Include "Dangling Participle Contest" in the subject line.
Submit to windowtothesoulcontests@gmail.com.
The story must be 500-5000 words in length, not including the title.
Submissions must be attached in doc., docx., or txt format.
You may include a short, 200 word bio, plus a picture.
You may also include links, either in your bio or separate from them.
Submissions must be PG-13 or cleaner.
ALL rights remain with the creator, we only ask that we be allowed to display your poem and bio on the website and newsletter, but if you would rather we didn't, let us know in the email. It will not impact your chances of winning.
Please do not include your name in the attached document, only in the body of the email.
You must be the sole creator of your story, or have the permission of all the other creators and have been an integral part of making it.
Previous and simultaneous submissions are welcome.
The deadline is June 20th.
Results will be posted July 1st.
Send any questions to windowtothesoulcontests@gmail.com. I can't wait to see your entries. This is going to be awesome. And hilarious.
Showing posts with label Contest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contest. Show all posts
Friday, May 1, 2015
Monday, February 2, 2015
Acrostic Poem Contest
We're back to a poetry contest, so we thought it would be cool to do an acrostic poem contest. No theme, you can write about anything you want (that's appropriate) as long as it's an acrostic.
Include "acrostic contest" in the subject line.
Submit to windowtothesoulcontests@gmail.com.
Submissions must be attached in doc., docx., or txt format.
You may include a short, 200 word bio, plus a picture.
You may also include links, either in your bio or separate from them.
Submissions must be PG-13 or cleaner.
ALL rights remain with the creator, we only ask that we be allowed to display your poem and bio on the website and newsletter, but if you would rather we didn't, let us know in the email. It will not impact your chances of winning.
Please do not include your name in the attached document, only in the body of the email.
You must be the sole creator of your poem, or have the permission of all the other creators and have been an integral part of making it.
Previous and simultaneous submissions are welcome.
You may submit as many pieces as you'd like.
The deadline is March 20th.
Results will be published April 1st.
Send any questions to windowtothesoulcontests@gmail.com. I hope to see lots of submissions, we love reading your work, and even if you don't win, you have put yourself out there, which takes bravery. Trust me, I know how terrifying the submission process can be.
We have one other contest open, an art contest, which you can find here.
Include "acrostic contest" in the subject line.
Submit to windowtothesoulcontests@gmail.com.
Submissions must be attached in doc., docx., or txt format.
You may include a short, 200 word bio, plus a picture.
You may also include links, either in your bio or separate from them.
Submissions must be PG-13 or cleaner.
ALL rights remain with the creator, we only ask that we be allowed to display your poem and bio on the website and newsletter, but if you would rather we didn't, let us know in the email. It will not impact your chances of winning.
Please do not include your name in the attached document, only in the body of the email.
You must be the sole creator of your poem, or have the permission of all the other creators and have been an integral part of making it.
Previous and simultaneous submissions are welcome.
You may submit as many pieces as you'd like.
The deadline is March 20th.
Results will be published April 1st.
Send any questions to windowtothesoulcontests@gmail.com. I hope to see lots of submissions, we love reading your work, and even if you don't win, you have put yourself out there, which takes bravery. Trust me, I know how terrifying the submission process can be.
We have one other contest open, an art contest, which you can find here.
Friday, January 2, 2015
2015 Banner Contest
Post by Elisabeth TenBrink Kelley, co-founder
This is a new year, and so we continue the tradition that we began last year. Yup, Window to the Soul has existed for a fully year, officially, a bit longer, unofficially. I would like to thank Catsi Eceer for helping me to find a title back in late 2013, and then offering to be co-owner of this blog. I seriously could not have managed this without you. It simply would have been too much work to do the weekly posts together with the contests. It was even you who suggested that we start off with the weekly posts, whereas I had planned to start them far later. Thanks to you, Window to the Soul Contest Blog still exists.
So, for the contest. This time, you will be submitting art (This could be 3-D, photography, drawings, paintings, etc., even moving GIFs) for us to use as our banner (the thing at the top) for 2015! Your information will be kept in the About Us page, even after your banner has been replaced in 2016, so that our banner will act as a little portfolio for you. You can have our title and subtitle in the image, or simply leave room for it.
Include "banner" in the subject line.
The image must be wider than it is tall. While it is not required, we would prefer the image to be as wide as the current banner, or preferably wider.
The image must be in PNG, JPEG, or GIF. I'm afraid PSD is no longer accepted.
If you have a signature on the image (recommended) please provide two versions, one with the signature visible, and one with it illegible.
Please keep your images PG-13 or better. Also, remember that we are both girls, and will not be impressed, though certainly insulted, by images that showcase a girl's body the way it is so common in modern art.
You must own the rights to the images, or have permission from the other creators, and you must have been an integral part to the creation of the image.
We maintain the right to not declare a winner if none of the submissions are of sufficient quality, and to decide what that entails.
The winner gives us the right to display the image as our banner, on this blog, in our newsletter, and for things such as advertisement until we hold another banner contest. We can also modify the image, but we cannot remove the signature. With the maker's permission, we will continue to display the image in the post announcing the winner and in the "About Us" page (or wherever we decide to keep the record of post winners of this contest) in order to give them more publicity.
Multiple and simultaneous submissions are accepted and encouraged.
You may, and are encouraged, to include a short bio of 150 words or less. And image and links to your social media and/or website can also go with this.
Send all questions and submissions to windowtothesoulcontests@gmail.com
We have another contest currently open, click here to see the rules. It is a prose contest with the theme "sacrifice".
This is a new year, and so we continue the tradition that we began last year. Yup, Window to the Soul has existed for a fully year, officially, a bit longer, unofficially. I would like to thank Catsi Eceer for helping me to find a title back in late 2013, and then offering to be co-owner of this blog. I seriously could not have managed this without you. It simply would have been too much work to do the weekly posts together with the contests. It was even you who suggested that we start off with the weekly posts, whereas I had planned to start them far later. Thanks to you, Window to the Soul Contest Blog still exists.
So, for the contest. This time, you will be submitting art (This could be 3-D, photography, drawings, paintings, etc., even moving GIFs) for us to use as our banner (the thing at the top) for 2015! Your information will be kept in the About Us page, even after your banner has been replaced in 2016, so that our banner will act as a little portfolio for you. You can have our title and subtitle in the image, or simply leave room for it.
Include "banner" in the subject line.
The image must be wider than it is tall. While it is not required, we would prefer the image to be as wide as the current banner, or preferably wider.
The image must be in PNG, JPEG, or GIF. I'm afraid PSD is no longer accepted.
If you have a signature on the image (recommended) please provide two versions, one with the signature visible, and one with it illegible.
Please keep your images PG-13 or better. Also, remember that we are both girls, and will not be impressed, though certainly insulted, by images that showcase a girl's body the way it is so common in modern art.
You must own the rights to the images, or have permission from the other creators, and you must have been an integral part to the creation of the image.
We maintain the right to not declare a winner if none of the submissions are of sufficient quality, and to decide what that entails.
The winner gives us the right to display the image as our banner, on this blog, in our newsletter, and for things such as advertisement until we hold another banner contest. We can also modify the image, but we cannot remove the signature. With the maker's permission, we will continue to display the image in the post announcing the winner and in the "About Us" page (or wherever we decide to keep the record of post winners of this contest) in order to give them more publicity.
Multiple and simultaneous submissions are accepted and encouraged.
You may, and are encouraged, to include a short bio of 150 words or less. And image and links to your social media and/or website can also go with this.
Send all questions and submissions to windowtothesoulcontests@gmail.com
We have another contest currently open, click here to see the rules. It is a prose contest with the theme "sacrifice".
Monday, December 1, 2014
Sacrifice Short Story Contest
This contest is closed.
A new month and a new contest. This contest is sponsored by Leah Good, the winner of the poetry category of our last contest, and author of Counted Worthy. Thus, this will be our first contest with a prize: a free ebook copy of Counted Worthy.
So, we've got to have a theme, right? Well, our theme will be "sacrifice". You must portray it in some way in your story. I can't wait to see what you submit, so here are the rules:
Include "Sacrifice Contest" in the subject line.
Your name or pen name should be in the body of the email ONLY, but be sure to include it.
Attach as a doc., docx., or txt., or in the body of the email.
Keep the content PG-13 or cleaner.
You must own the rights to the submitted piece and be the creator (or translator).
Previous and simultaneous submissions are welcome.
All rights remain with the creator, though we ask to post your story on this blog and the newsletter. If you would rather that your story not appear here, let us know in the email. This will not affect your chances of winning.
You may include a short bio, as well as link to your blog and/or social media.
Send your submission or any questions to windowtothesoulcontests@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing your work!
Another contest currently open is for poetry with a holiday theme, you can find the rules here.
A new month and a new contest. This contest is sponsored by Leah Good, the winner of the poetry category of our last contest, and author of Counted Worthy. Thus, this will be our first contest with a prize: a free ebook copy of Counted Worthy.
So, we've got to have a theme, right? Well, our theme will be "sacrifice". You must portray it in some way in your story. I can't wait to see what you submit, so here are the rules:
Include "Sacrifice Contest" in the subject line.
Your name or pen name should be in the body of the email ONLY, but be sure to include it.
Attach as a doc., docx., or txt., or in the body of the email.
Keep the content PG-13 or cleaner.
You must own the rights to the submitted piece and be the creator (or translator).
Previous and simultaneous submissions are welcome.
All rights remain with the creator, though we ask to post your story on this blog and the newsletter. If you would rather that your story not appear here, let us know in the email. This will not affect your chances of winning.
You may include a short bio, as well as link to your blog and/or social media.
Send your submission or any questions to windowtothesoulcontests@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing your work!
Another contest currently open is for poetry with a holiday theme, you can find the rules here.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Holiday Poetry Contest
Post by Elisabeth TenBrink Kelley, co-founder
This contest is now closed.
Hello everyone! Had a fun Halloween? I sure did, though no one recognized my costume. Seriously, how many creatures have a tail that splits into two? (I was Espeon, by the way.) Because of this wonderful, festive time of year (Halloween, Thanks Giving, Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.) Catsi had the wonderful idea of a holiday-themed contest. We're not picky, so you can make it about any holiday you'd like! Valentines Day, Veteran's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Caviar Day... I'm not kidding, that last one is real. Look up "holiday calendar" and you'll find more than enough to write about. Anyway, this is a poetry contest. Any kind of poetry (including freestyle) on any holiday. They can even be mythical holidays. The prize is, as always, as much publicity as we can give you, unless you ask us not to.
Include "holiday contest" in the subject line
Submit to windowtothesoulcontests@gmail.com
Submissions must be attached in doc., docx., or txt format
You may include a short, 200 word, bio, plus a picture
You may also include links, either in your bio or separate from them
Submissions must be PG-13 or cleaner
ALL rights remain with the creator, we only ask that we be allowed to display your poem and bio on the website and newsletter, but if you would rather we didn't, let us know in the email. It will not impact your chances of winning.
Please do not include your name in the attached document, only in the body of the email
You must be the sole creator of your poem, or have the permission of all the other creators and have been an integral part of making it
Previous and simultaneous submissions are welcome
You may submit as many pieces as you'd like
The deadline is December 20th
Results will be published January 1st
I can't wait to see what you guys make! With any luck, we'll have those ads up soon, meaning occasional cash prizes! Remember, if you have any questions, you can either comment down here, or email us at the same address as you submit to.
We have one other contest open, this one for not only poetry, but art and prose as well! See details here.
This contest is now closed.
Hello everyone! Had a fun Halloween? I sure did, though no one recognized my costume. Seriously, how many creatures have a tail that splits into two? (I was Espeon, by the way.) Because of this wonderful, festive time of year (Halloween, Thanks Giving, Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.) Catsi had the wonderful idea of a holiday-themed contest. We're not picky, so you can make it about any holiday you'd like! Valentines Day, Veteran's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Caviar Day... I'm not kidding, that last one is real. Look up "holiday calendar" and you'll find more than enough to write about. Anyway, this is a poetry contest. Any kind of poetry (including freestyle) on any holiday. They can even be mythical holidays. The prize is, as always, as much publicity as we can give you, unless you ask us not to.
Include "holiday contest" in the subject line
Submit to windowtothesoulcontests@gmail.com
Submissions must be attached in doc., docx., or txt format
You may include a short, 200 word, bio, plus a picture
You may also include links, either in your bio or separate from them
Submissions must be PG-13 or cleaner
ALL rights remain with the creator, we only ask that we be allowed to display your poem and bio on the website and newsletter, but if you would rather we didn't, let us know in the email. It will not impact your chances of winning.
Please do not include your name in the attached document, only in the body of the email
You must be the sole creator of your poem, or have the permission of all the other creators and have been an integral part of making it
Previous and simultaneous submissions are welcome
You may submit as many pieces as you'd like
The deadline is December 20th
Results will be published January 1st
I can't wait to see what you guys make! With any luck, we'll have those ads up soon, meaning occasional cash prizes! Remember, if you have any questions, you can either comment down here, or email us at the same address as you submit to.
We have one other contest open, this one for not only poetry, but art and prose as well! See details here.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Mother Art Contest Extended
Hey guys, we're extending the deadline for the Mother Art Contest to the 25th. Enter soon! The guidelines can be found here.
Good luck to all entrants, and remember, the prize is a much publicity as we can muster!
Good luck to all entrants, and remember, the prize is a much publicity as we can muster!
Monday, June 2, 2014
Synopsis Contest Winner & Patriotism Poetry Contest Announcement
Our synopsis contest has concluded, and the winner is Azaria Durant!
Congratulations, Azaria, and good luck with your book! If you would like to find out more about Miss Durant, visit her website here, or her facebook here.
I am also happy to announce a new poetry contest! In the spirit of Memorial Day, which just passed, and Independence Day, which is in the month that this contest will close, the theme is Patriotism. While this was inspired by two American holidays, we would love to see poetry of all other countries, though I'm afraid they have to be in English, as Catsi, the other judge, cannot read Spanish. Well, I suppose you could send in something in a different language, but be aware that we aren't very likely to choose a poem we can't understand. Translations are fine, as long as you wrote the original, or were given permission to translate and send it. Any type of poem is fine, and you can submit as many as you want.
Include "Patriotism Contest" or "Poetry Contest" in the subject line
Please send your poem(s) in an attachment (doc., docx., or txt.), one for each poem
Your name or pen name should be in the body of the email, but NOT the attachments
You may include a short bio and links to your website, Facebook page, Twitter account, etc.
This website and its newsletter is teen-friendly, so please, nothing graphic
All rights remain with the poet, we only ask to place the winning and other exemplary submissions on our blog and in our newsletter
If you do not want your poem to appear in our blog or newsletter (many publishers do not accept previously published work) please say so, and we will not
Previous and simultaneous submissions welcome
The contest will end on July 20th and the winners will be announced on August 1st.
Send all submissions and questions to windowtothesoulcontests[at]gmail.com
We have another contest right now. It's an art contest with the theme "mothers". If or more information, click here.
An outlaw fighting for her sister. A slave boy in a desperate flight for freedom. And an ancient curse on a broken golden arrow to decide the fate of both.
Congratulations, Azaria, and good luck with your book! If you would like to find out more about Miss Durant, visit her website here, or her facebook here.
I am also happy to announce a new poetry contest! In the spirit of Memorial Day, which just passed, and Independence Day, which is in the month that this contest will close, the theme is Patriotism. While this was inspired by two American holidays, we would love to see poetry of all other countries, though I'm afraid they have to be in English, as Catsi, the other judge, cannot read Spanish. Well, I suppose you could send in something in a different language, but be aware that we aren't very likely to choose a poem we can't understand. Translations are fine, as long as you wrote the original, or were given permission to translate and send it. Any type of poem is fine, and you can submit as many as you want.
Include "Patriotism Contest" or "Poetry Contest" in the subject line
Please send your poem(s) in an attachment (doc., docx., or txt.), one for each poem
Your name or pen name should be in the body of the email, but NOT the attachments
You may include a short bio and links to your website, Facebook page, Twitter account, etc.
This website and its newsletter is teen-friendly, so please, nothing graphic
All rights remain with the poet, we only ask to place the winning and other exemplary submissions on our blog and in our newsletter
If you do not want your poem to appear in our blog or newsletter (many publishers do not accept previously published work) please say so, and we will not
Previous and simultaneous submissions welcome
The contest will end on July 20th and the winners will be announced on August 1st.
Send all submissions and questions to windowtothesoulcontests[at]gmail.com
We have another contest right now. It's an art contest with the theme "mothers". If or more information, click here.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Mother Art Contest
Deadline extended to June 25th!
As you can see from the title, this will be an art contest, about mothers. During May. How fitting. You can use any art style you like, but the subject must show something having to do with mothers. It doesn't have to be an actual mother, or even female, but some quality of motherhood must be included. Catsi and I will be judging, and we will be judging based on the look of the drawing, but more so, emotion. If the chibi drawing evokes more emotion than the gorgeous painting, the chibi drawing will win. (And lets face it, mothers are almost always accompanied by babies, and chibi drawings make great babies.)
The prize is publicity. We will tweet the winner's links and (with their permission) image, as well as post them on Facebook. Well, here are the guidelines:
"Mother Art Contest" or some variation of that should be in the subject line. Basically, just be sure that it is obvious which contest you are submitting to.
You may include a short bio, no more than 150 words.
You may include links to your blog, Facebook page, Twitter profile, website, etc. These can either be in your bio or after it.
Your name or pseudonym should be in your bio or, if you do not have a bio, in the body of the email.
If you sign your works you should provide two versions, the original and one with your name blurred out.
If you do not want us to display your image, mention it in your submission email. Otherwise, we will show it on our website, in our newsletter, and possibly on Facebook and Twitter. If you would like it to be posted on our website and newsletter but not Facebook and Twitter, mention it in your email and we will respect your wishes. This does not disqualify you, nor will it affect your chances of winning.
Your submission should be in GIF, PNG, JPEG or PSD format. 3D art is accepted and encouraged, but it must be a flattened image in one of the above formats.
Your submission should not contain any nudity. This website is intended for adults and teenagers, and is, in fact, run by teenagers, so we would appreciate that you respect that.
All rights remain with the creator.
We assume that you have all rights, or permission from the other creators, and that you were an integral part of the creation of your submitted work. If there are multiple creators you may have multiple bios and connected links.
You may send in up to three images, preferably in one email. Previous and simultaneous submissions are welcome.
Send all submissions before midnight on June 22nd.
Send your submissions and any questions (which we are happy to answer) to windowtothesoulcontests[at]gmail.com
We have one other contest currently running, this one is prose, in fact it's a prose contest. If you're interested, click here.
As you can see from the title, this will be an art contest, about mothers. During May. How fitting. You can use any art style you like, but the subject must show something having to do with mothers. It doesn't have to be an actual mother, or even female, but some quality of motherhood must be included. Catsi and I will be judging, and we will be judging based on the look of the drawing, but more so, emotion. If the chibi drawing evokes more emotion than the gorgeous painting, the chibi drawing will win. (And lets face it, mothers are almost always accompanied by babies, and chibi drawings make great babies.)
The prize is publicity. We will tweet the winner's links and (with their permission) image, as well as post them on Facebook. Well, here are the guidelines:
"Mother Art Contest" or some variation of that should be in the subject line. Basically, just be sure that it is obvious which contest you are submitting to.
You may include a short bio, no more than 150 words.
You may include links to your blog, Facebook page, Twitter profile, website, etc. These can either be in your bio or after it.
Your name or pseudonym should be in your bio or, if you do not have a bio, in the body of the email.
If you sign your works you should provide two versions, the original and one with your name blurred out.
If you do not want us to display your image, mention it in your submission email. Otherwise, we will show it on our website, in our newsletter, and possibly on Facebook and Twitter. If you would like it to be posted on our website and newsletter but not Facebook and Twitter, mention it in your email and we will respect your wishes. This does not disqualify you, nor will it affect your chances of winning.
Your submission should be in GIF, PNG, JPEG or PSD format. 3D art is accepted and encouraged, but it must be a flattened image in one of the above formats.
Your submission should not contain any nudity. This website is intended for adults and teenagers, and is, in fact, run by teenagers, so we would appreciate that you respect that.
All rights remain with the creator.
We assume that you have all rights, or permission from the other creators, and that you were an integral part of the creation of your submitted work. If there are multiple creators you may have multiple bios and connected links.
You may send in up to three images, preferably in one email. Previous and simultaneous submissions are welcome.
Send all submissions before midnight on June 22nd.
Send your submissions and any questions (which we are happy to answer) to windowtothesoulcontests[at]gmail.com
We have one other contest currently running, this one is prose, in fact it's a prose contest. If you're interested, click here.
Haiku Contest Winner
I am proud to announce the winning poem of our haiku contest!
Some of you may recognize this as the poem posted in the comments on my "How to Write a Haiku" post, and indeed, it is. Congratulations to our winner, Rosemary Mucklestone. Rosey is a historical fiction and sci-fi writer, and you can find her prose works here.
Everyone congratulate our winner! Good luck for next time, everyone! Our next contest is an art one, the theme being "Mothers", and we have a prose one going on right now (you can find that one here). If you're really more of a poet, sign up for our newsletter, it's up on the right here, and we'll email you June first with a new poetry contest.
The grey morning fog
Rakes its fingers on the ground
Trying to hold on
Some of you may recognize this as the poem posted in the comments on my "How to Write a Haiku" post, and indeed, it is. Congratulations to our winner, Rosemary Mucklestone. Rosey is a historical fiction and sci-fi writer, and you can find her prose works here.
Everyone congratulate our winner! Good luck for next time, everyone! Our next contest is an art one, the theme being "Mothers", and we have a prose one going on right now (you can find that one here). If you're really more of a poet, sign up for our newsletter, it's up on the right here, and we'll email you June first with a new poetry contest.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Synopsis Contest
This contest is now closed. The results will be announced on June 1st.
Our first full-on prose contest is up! Your submission must be a 30-word or less synopsis of a book you have written or are planning to write. The most intriguing and well-written synopsis will be the winner and, unless you ask us not to, will be tweeted for the world to see!
Include "Synopsis Contest" in the subject line of your email.
Your submission must be 30 words or less and attached in a doc., docx., or txt. format.
Please do not submit a synopsis for erotica or similar works, as they will be disqualified.
This contest is open to anyone an everyone, of any country or age, though the submission must be in English.
All right remain yours, we only ask to include your submission in the post and newsletter that will announce your winning and to tweet it to give you publicity. However, if you do not want it in our blog and newsletter or for it to be tweeted, tell us, and we will not.
You may include a short author bio as well as your website, Twitter, and similar links. (Twitter is especially recommended so that we can tweet it to you)
Your submission should not have your name or pen name in it, please include that in the body of the email.
Email your submission and any questions to windowtothesoulcontests[at]gmail.com.
The deadline is May 20th. Winners will be announced the first of June.
We have one other contest currently, a haiku contest. Click here to see the guidelines.
Our first full-on prose contest is up! Your submission must be a 30-word or less synopsis of a book you have written or are planning to write. The most intriguing and well-written synopsis will be the winner and, unless you ask us not to, will be tweeted for the world to see!
Include "Synopsis Contest" in the subject line of your email.
Your submission must be 30 words or less and attached in a doc., docx., or txt. format.
Please do not submit a synopsis for erotica or similar works, as they will be disqualified.
This contest is open to anyone an everyone, of any country or age, though the submission must be in English.
All right remain yours, we only ask to include your submission in the post and newsletter that will announce your winning and to tweet it to give you publicity. However, if you do not want it in our blog and newsletter or for it to be tweeted, tell us, and we will not.
You may include a short author bio as well as your website, Twitter, and similar links. (Twitter is especially recommended so that we can tweet it to you)
Your submission should not have your name or pen name in it, please include that in the body of the email.
Email your submission and any questions to windowtothesoulcontests[at]gmail.com.
The deadline is May 20th. Winners will be announced the first of June.
We have one other contest currently, a haiku contest. Click here to see the guidelines.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Haiku Contest
This contest is now closed. Winners will be announced May 1st.
Post by Elisabeth TenBrink Kelley, co-founder
Hello everyone! The haiku article seems to have attracted a fair bit of attention, so now we're going to have a contest of them! (If you missed that post, you can see it here.) It can be on any theme you want, as long as it's a haiku. So, here's the submission guidelines. Yeah, I know, it's long, and kind of random, we'll find a way to organize them later, but for now, the things that will get you disqualified are generally at the top.
Your submission must be a haiku. If you don't know what a haiku is, see here.
Include the "Haiku Contest" in the subject line.
Include a short author bio, if you wish, of less than 200 words. You can include your Twitter handle, Facebook page, website, etc. either in your bio or on the side.
Your name or pen name should be in the body of the email ONLY.
Your submission should be as an attached dox. doc. or txt.
The contest will close on April 20th. Winners will be announced on May 1st. The winners can be seen here or in the newsletter.
There are no font or formatting requirements, if you win it will be re-formatted anyway. However, if the font and such are important to the piece, let us know in the email and we won't.
There are no age requirements.
There is no entry fee.
All rights remain with the author, we only ask to place winning and other exemplary submissions on our blog and in our newsletter.
Because many publications for poetry do not accept things that have been previously published in any way, you may ask that your submission not be displayed and we won't. This doesn't stop you from winning, and we'll still put your author bio in there.
Your submission should not contain any identifying information.
All rights remain with the creator.
It must be your own work.
We allow previous and simultaneous submissions.
You can submit as many haiku as you want.
Send your email to windowtothesoulcontests[at]gmail.com. Any questions should be sent there as well.
Because you can't really critique a haiku that isn't just plain wrong, we will instead advertise you by Tweeting your haiku along with your links, and posting them to Facebook.
We will give feedback on all submissions.
We also have an art contest, for anyone who's interested. Deadline is March 20th, and the winner's entry will replace our banner, the thing up top that says "Window to the Soul" on it. You can find the guidelines here.
Post by Elisabeth TenBrink Kelley, co-founder
Hello everyone! The haiku article seems to have attracted a fair bit of attention, so now we're going to have a contest of them! (If you missed that post, you can see it here.) It can be on any theme you want, as long as it's a haiku. So, here's the submission guidelines. Yeah, I know, it's long, and kind of random, we'll find a way to organize them later, but for now, the things that will get you disqualified are generally at the top.
Your submission must be a haiku. If you don't know what a haiku is, see here.
Include the "Haiku Contest" in the subject line.
Include a short author bio, if you wish, of less than 200 words. You can include your Twitter handle, Facebook page, website, etc. either in your bio or on the side.
Your name or pen name should be in the body of the email ONLY.
Your submission should be as an attached dox. doc. or txt.
The contest will close on April 20th. Winners will be announced on May 1st. The winners can be seen here or in the newsletter.
There are no font or formatting requirements, if you win it will be re-formatted anyway. However, if the font and such are important to the piece, let us know in the email and we won't.
There are no age requirements.
There is no entry fee.
All rights remain with the author, we only ask to place winning and other exemplary submissions on our blog and in our newsletter.
Because many publications for poetry do not accept things that have been previously published in any way, you may ask that your submission not be displayed and we won't. This doesn't stop you from winning, and we'll still put your author bio in there.
Your submission should not contain any identifying information.
All rights remain with the creator.
It must be your own work.
We allow previous and simultaneous submissions.
You can submit as many haiku as you want.
Send your email to windowtothesoulcontests[at]gmail.com. Any questions should be sent there as well.
Because you can't really critique a haiku that isn't just plain wrong, we will instead advertise you by Tweeting your haiku along with your links, and posting them to Facebook.
We will give feedback on all submissions.
We also have an art contest, for anyone who's interested. Deadline is March 20th, and the winner's entry will replace our banner, the thing up top that says "Window to the Soul" on it. You can find the guidelines here.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Window to the Soul Banner Contest
This contest is closed.
Today is our official initiation, and in honor of that, we will have our first art contest. If you look up at the top of the page you will see that all we have is a black image with the title and subtitle of the blog. Obviously, this is not what we want to have permanently. So, the theme of this contest, is "windows". Incorporate them how you wish, be creative! Simply keep in mind our title and you'll be good. The winner will have their art displayed as our banner. Remember, we will want a place to have the title and subtitle. We will do this ourselves normally, but if you've a particular idea of the text, go ahead and place it yourself! We'd love to see it done imaginatively.
Include "Banner Contest" in the subject line of your email
Attach as a PNG, GIF, or PSD
Your submission may be drawn, painted, digital art, etc. colored or non colored (Though we are more likely to accept a colored submission, but don't let that discourage your from submitting uncolored art. Remember, we are just beginning, so we'll have rather few submissions, and colored or not, we want to see a well-done submission)
Your name, or pen name, may ONLY appear in the body of the email. If your name is in the submission (which we actually encourage) simply use the Blur tool in Photoshop or some other method, we'll understand why that part looks funny. You should attach a second version in your original email for us to use, should you win.
Your submission must NOT be pornographic. This site is run by teens, we don't want anything that makes us feel like throwing up. A submission that is inappropriate but does not show nudity will not be automatically disqualified, but has little chance of winning, depending on how inappropriate.
We reserve the right to not have a winner, if none of the submissions are of sufficient quality. However, we are more likely to extend the deadline.
We ask the winner for the right to display their work on our website as the banner until we decide to cease displaying it. (Thus the winner cannot ask us not to display their work) However, if you ask that your work no be displayed, then that will apply if you are an honorable mention. If you haven't seen our previous newsletter, then you should know that we like honorable mentions.
The entry must be your own work. We are not responsible for any copyright infringements. You may submit a collaborative work if the others have agreed to it being submitted and you were an integral part of the creation. (For example, if one of you did the drawing, and the other drew over and colored it on the computer)
There are no fees or age requirements.
We ask that the winning entry not be submitted or used elsewhere unless we decide to stop using it. (If you would like to be notified if/when we decide to stop using it, let us know in your beginning email) All rights remain with the honorable mentions, we only ask to display in in the newsletter and on the blog. However, you can ask that we not do that and we won't.
You may include a short bio, as well as a photo of yourself, if you wish. You may also include your Twitter handle, Facebook page, website/blog address, etc. This can either be in your bio or elsewhere in the email.
We accept simultaneous submissions, but not previous submissions, this does not include a closed forum or a website/blog with low traffic. (Meaning that it can be something that is under consideration elsewhere)
The contest deadline is March 20th, winters will be announced on April 1st.
The winners will be shown here as well as in the newsletter.
Send your entries to windowtothesoulcontests[at]gmail.com. Any questions may be sent to the same email.
Today is our official initiation, and in honor of that, we will have our first art contest. If you look up at the top of the page you will see that all we have is a black image with the title and subtitle of the blog. Obviously, this is not what we want to have permanently. So, the theme of this contest, is "windows". Incorporate them how you wish, be creative! Simply keep in mind our title and you'll be good. The winner will have their art displayed as our banner. Remember, we will want a place to have the title and subtitle. We will do this ourselves normally, but if you've a particular idea of the text, go ahead and place it yourself! We'd love to see it done imaginatively.
Include "Banner Contest" in the subject line of your email
Attach as a PNG, GIF, or PSD
Your submission may be drawn, painted, digital art, etc. colored or non colored (Though we are more likely to accept a colored submission, but don't let that discourage your from submitting uncolored art. Remember, we are just beginning, so we'll have rather few submissions, and colored or not, we want to see a well-done submission)
Your name, or pen name, may ONLY appear in the body of the email. If your name is in the submission (which we actually encourage) simply use the Blur tool in Photoshop or some other method, we'll understand why that part looks funny. You should attach a second version in your original email for us to use, should you win.
Your submission must NOT be pornographic. This site is run by teens, we don't want anything that makes us feel like throwing up. A submission that is inappropriate but does not show nudity will not be automatically disqualified, but has little chance of winning, depending on how inappropriate.
We reserve the right to not have a winner, if none of the submissions are of sufficient quality. However, we are more likely to extend the deadline.
We ask the winner for the right to display their work on our website as the banner until we decide to cease displaying it. (Thus the winner cannot ask us not to display their work) However, if you ask that your work no be displayed, then that will apply if you are an honorable mention. If you haven't seen our previous newsletter, then you should know that we like honorable mentions.
The entry must be your own work. We are not responsible for any copyright infringements. You may submit a collaborative work if the others have agreed to it being submitted and you were an integral part of the creation. (For example, if one of you did the drawing, and the other drew over and colored it on the computer)
There are no fees or age requirements.
We ask that the winning entry not be submitted or used elsewhere unless we decide to stop using it. (If you would like to be notified if/when we decide to stop using it, let us know in your beginning email) All rights remain with the honorable mentions, we only ask to display in in the newsletter and on the blog. However, you can ask that we not do that and we won't.
You may include a short bio, as well as a photo of yourself, if you wish. You may also include your Twitter handle, Facebook page, website/blog address, etc. This can either be in your bio or elsewhere in the email.
We accept simultaneous submissions, but not previous submissions, this does not include a closed forum or a website/blog with low traffic. (Meaning that it can be something that is under consideration elsewhere)
The contest deadline is March 20th, winters will be announced on April 1st.
The winners will be shown here as well as in the newsletter.
Send your entries to windowtothesoulcontests[at]gmail.com. Any questions may be sent to the same email.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Writing Prompt Contest Winners!
I'm so excited to show you guys the winning entries. They were all so much fun to read, and ridiculously difficult to judge...
In third place...
Jameis O’Shaunessey
There's one more entry I'd like to share with you guys. I had finally figured out the winners, when it crossed my mind that it would probably be a good idea to check the word count of all of them. This one was one word over the limit. After much heartache, I decided I needed to be fair and disqualify it. However, nobody said I couldn't post disqualified entries...
Carmer
Judge's comments: The emotion is spectacular here. I was almost in tears while reading it.
Great job to everyone who entered, whether you placed or not. I had so much fun doing this. I'll be sure to have another contest soon. :)
(On another note, you all might want to keep your diaries away from your siblings, especially if they contain information about a car accident.)
In third place...
Jameis O’Shaunessey
So it turned out that reading my sister's diary was a mistake. Here I am, now sprawling, now curled-up upon her bed. My thoughts are like a shipwreck from an old cinema; my only constants are muffled sobs, streaming tears.
Although, when Dad died and she had had to quit school to cover the bills for Mums, she began to guard her diary with intense jealousy, all I expected to find was the usual rot one finds in a single girl's diary when I saw it left open on her quilt. I was so unhappily wrong! She had supposedly gotten a job in Dublin, but it turns out that was all a lie. H--how could she have stooped to a level that low for money? I would've rather starved then for her to----
Oh, what, what am I to do? To reveal would mean utter ruin; to conceal, endless guilt…
Judge's comments: I really like the emotion with this one. I can feel the narrator's pain as s/he realizes what his/her sister has been doing.
Second place:
$wag money
So it turned out that reading my sister’s diary was a mistake. Her face, streaked with tears, burning with shame as she snatched the book from my limp hands--I barely heard her shout. I had never known those things had happened to her, and I hadn't been meant to know.
I didn't know what to do now.
A scene from autumn flickered like a dusty light bulb. Fallen leaves, vivid as flame, cascading through the sky like rain. Laughing faces. Her, sitting with her friends around her on the bench, hair blowing in a gusty wind. Reading my diary aloud to my hollering classmates. To Brian, who was redder than a cherry candy drop. I had screamed, I had tried to snatch it from her, and oh how they'd laughed with a cruelty unique to children.
I'd only wanted revenge. It wasn't as sweet as I thought it'd be.
Judge's comments: The description is beautiful. I can picture everything, and I especially like the "dust light bulb" phrase.
And our first place winner is... [insert drumroll here]
Josephine Paige
So it turned out that reading my sister’s diary was a mistake. If I’d never seen that well-worn journal lying at the foot of her bed, maybe it would have been different. If I’d never leafed through the pages, maybe I wouldn’t have found it. The secret. The one I wish I never learned.Judge's comments: Pulled me in on the first line, and never let go. There's no way I would be able to put the book down now.
The secret about what really happened that day, the day of the car crash. When the car mysteriously swerved, winding up wrong side up in the riverbed, no survivors. Maybe if I hadn’t read her diary, I wouldn’t have read every miserable detail. How the brakes had been tampered with. Some well spilled water--Ice on black pavement. If I hadn’t read the diary I wouldn’t have known what happened.
I wouldn’t have known how my sister had murdered them all.
There's one more entry I'd like to share with you guys. I had finally figured out the winners, when it crossed my mind that it would probably be a good idea to check the word count of all of them. This one was one word over the limit. After much heartache, I decided I needed to be fair and disqualify it. However, nobody said I couldn't post disqualified entries...
Carmer
So it turned out that reading my sister’s diary was a mistake. Being the curious person I am, I hadn’t even thought mom would care. She did. I had seen all the words, and the sorrow had returned. Kaylah had beautiful sketches in there.
The last page had been the one that had made me cry. I was only the little brother in the backseat, but I still remembered the crash as if it had been branded upon my hand. Just thinking about it brought back all those memories of the glass; the blood; the screams.
The picture had been of a perfect, pink rose. Surrounding it were thorns and black dirt. The picture was only smeared chalk, but it had brought such emotion that I was unable to stop crying for days. On top were the words: ‘I am a rose amongst thorns. Please bring me into Your garden.’
Judge's comments: The emotion is spectacular here. I was almost in tears while reading it.
Great job to everyone who entered, whether you placed or not. I had so much fun doing this. I'll be sure to have another contest soon. :)
(On another note, you all might want to keep your diaries away from your siblings, especially if they contain information about a car accident.)
Thursday, December 26, 2013
New Year Resolutions Contest
This contest is closed.
I know that these contests have all been for prose, but don't worry, our next one will be art and the one after that I'll make sure is poetry. So, this one is to write a story about New Year resolutions. Somehow they should tie into the story, but the rest can be whatever you want. So, the rules.
Maximum word count is 5,000 words
"New Year Resolutions" must be in the subject line
Attach the story to the email in docx., doc., or txt. format
There should be no identifying information in the story
Your submission must be PG-13 at least
Send it to windowtothesoulcontests[at]gmail.com
There are no formatting requirements
There are no eligibility requirements, accept that you must own the submission. If you are under 18 you should have your parent's permission to enter.
You may include a bio if you wish, which will be shown if you win. You may also include your blog, Facebook page, and Twitter account.
There is no entry fee
Because many contests and publications will not accept anything that has been published previously, you can ask for your story not to be displayed on our website or newsletter. If you do, we will only show your pen name and the title of your story.
I will give feedback on all entries and the winner will receive an in-depth critique
All rights remain the author's. Unless we are asked not to, we will display the entry and the entrant's pen name and bio on our website and in the newsletter.
The deadline is midnight on the 30th, so you'd better hurry!
Update! The deadline has been extended to midnight on January 3rd, same as the writing prompt contest below.
Updated again! Deadline is now midnight, January 10th.
Oh, and I'll be judging. (check the bottom of the post)
Other currently running contests:
Writing prompt contest for teens
I know that these contests have all been for prose, but don't worry, our next one will be art and the one after that I'll make sure is poetry. So, this one is to write a story about New Year resolutions. Somehow they should tie into the story, but the rest can be whatever you want. So, the rules.
Maximum word count is 5,000 words
"New Year Resolutions" must be in the subject line
Attach the story to the email in docx., doc., or txt. format
There should be no identifying information in the story
Your submission must be PG-13 at least
Send it to windowtothesoulcontests[at]gmail.com
There are no formatting requirements
There are no eligibility requirements, accept that you must own the submission. If you are under 18 you should have your parent's permission to enter.
You may include a bio if you wish, which will be shown if you win. You may also include your blog, Facebook page, and Twitter account.
There is no entry fee
Because many contests and publications will not accept anything that has been published previously, you can ask for your story not to be displayed on our website or newsletter. If you do, we will only show your pen name and the title of your story.
I will give feedback on all entries and the winner will receive an in-depth critique
All rights remain the author's. Unless we are asked not to, we will display the entry and the entrant's pen name and bio on our website and in the newsletter.
Updated again! Deadline is now midnight, January 10th.
Oh, and I'll be judging. (check the bottom of the post)
Other currently running contests:
Writing prompt contest for teens
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Writing prompt contest for teens
This contest is closed.
Hey everybody, Catsi Eceer here. If you're reading this, you're awesome. Thanks so much for stopping by to check us out.
After a long time of planning and a not-so-long time of Elisabeth setting up, we're starting our first contest.
Here's what you're supposed to be doing:
Don't be scared by that, though. Just play by the rules, and I won't bite.
Not very hard, anyway.
There aren't any prizes this time around, other than bragging rights. We'll post the winners on the 11th of January.
I have one other thing to say, unrelated to this contest. I want to thank Elisabeth for all the work she has put into this blog. She kept going, even when I know I would have given up. Without her, this post would literally not be here. You go, girl.
Now, good luck, and happy writing!
Contest has closed. The winners will be posted on January 11th.
"So it turned out that reading my sister’s diary was a mistake."
Hey everybody, Catsi Eceer here. If you're reading this, you're awesome. Thanks so much for stopping by to check us out.
After a long time of planning and a not-so-long time of Elisabeth setting up, we're starting our first contest.
Here's what you're supposed to be doing:
- Start with the sentence "So it turned out that reading my sister’s diary was a mistake."
- Continue the scene for 138 more words.
- Edit, fix it up, and enter it in the form below!
- Content. No swearing, nothing overly violent or inappropriate. Keep the writing on a PG-13 but leaning towards PG level.
- Teen entrants only.
- Only one entry per person.
- Your entry must be 150 words or less, including the prompt sentence.
- Get your entry in by January 4th.
Don't be scared by that, though. Just play by the rules, and I won't bite.
Not very hard, anyway.
There aren't any prizes this time around, other than bragging rights. We'll post the winners on the 11th of January.
I have one other thing to say, unrelated to this contest. I want to thank Elisabeth for all the work she has put into this blog. She kept going, even when I know I would have given up. Without her, this post would literally not be here. You go, girl.
Now, good luck, and happy writing!
Contest has closed. The winners will be posted on January 11th.
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