Ho! Ho! Ho! The 3rd Annual Holiday Writing Contest Is Here!

WOO-HOO!  Let the joyous news be spread!  It’s time for

The 3rd Annual Holiday Contest!!!


The Contest:  Write a children’s story about a Holiday Mishap, mix-up, miscommunication, mistake, or potential disaster (a la Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer :)).  Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 350 words not counting the title (aren’t I being generous?! 🙂  It can be as short as you like, but no more than 350!)  Did the dog knock over the Christmas Tree?  Did little Johnny’s costume get grape juice all over it moments before the holiday pageant?  Did the menorah go missing?  Did travel arrangements get snarled or miscommunicated?  Did Santa’s sleigh have to make an emergency landing?  The field is wide open!  Have fun!  (And because so many people have mentioned this, the story does not have to be funny!  You can have a holiday mishap that is serious or sweet or mysterious…  Please don’t feel that you have to go the humor route!  Also, because a number of people have mentioned it this time, no art notes please.)

Post:  Your entry should be posted on your blog between now and Friday December 13 at 11:59 PM EST and your post-specific link should be added to the link list below which will remain up through Sunday December 15.  (There will be no WYRI or PPBF this week.)  If you don’t have a blog but would like to enter, please copy and paste your entry into the comments below.  (If anyone has trouble commenting, which unfortunately happens, please email me and I’ll post your entry for you!)
The Judging:  My lovely assistant(s) and I will narrow down the entrants to 6-12 finalists (depending on the number of entries) which will be posted here on Monday December 16 for you to vote on for a winner.  The vote will be closed on Wednesday December 18 at 5 PM EST and the winners will be announced on Thursday December 19.  Whoever gets the most votes will be first and so on down to sixth place.  Remember, judging criteria will be kid appeal/friendliness, originality/suitability of mishap, quality of story, and quality of writing.
The Prizes!:  Well, I hope these prizes are going to knock your socks off!!!  In the spirit of the holidays, winners will be named for 1st – 6th place.  In addition to the incredible fame of being able to say you won or placed in the Pretty Much World Famous 3rd Annual Holiday Contest, the following AMAZING prizes will be awarded:

 – A Picture Book Manuscript Read and Written Critique by Karen Boss, Editor at Charlesbridge!!! (Priceless!)  Karen Boss is the editorial assistant at Charlesbridge Publishing in Watertown, MA. She has a master’s degree in children’s literature from Simmons College and is currently editing projects that range from picture books for younger readers to picture books for older readers to middle-grade novels, both fiction and nonfiction. (But let’s face it, folks!  You’re getting YOUR picture book manuscript in front of an actual editor at a highly regarded publishing house!  Who knows where that could lead?)

 – A Gold Membership to Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 in 2014 (a $150 value)
    Little GOLDen Book Membership includes:

  • Full access (view and post) to the Main 12 x 12 Forum and Critique Connect (where you can find critique partners)
  • Access to the members-only 12 x 12 Facebook Group
  • Ability to view the Events, Member Books, Videos/Trailers and Help An Author Out (HAAO) sections of the 12 x 12 Forum
  • Opportunity to win craft-related prizes from the monthly featured authors
  • Full (view and post) access to the Events, Member Books, Video/Trailers and HAAO sections of the 12 x 12 Forum
  • FULL (view and post) access to these additional sections of the 12 x 12 Forum: Query Corner (get feedback on your query letters), Pitch Perfect (get feedback on loglines and pitches), and Manuscript Makeover (get feedback on the first 250 words of your ms)
  • Access to the Submission Station section of the 12 x 12 Forum, which will provide information about that month’s agent or editor and instructions on how to submit to him or her.

 – 2 signed Picture Books by Linda Ashman – RAIN! and PEACE, BABY! (Keep for yourself or give as a holiday gift to a little person in your life :)) PLUS
    a $25 Amazon Gift Card

 – A Picture Book Manuscript Critique by Erin Molta Erin is an experienced senior editor of picture book, early readers, chapter, middle grade, and YA books, as well as novelty and licensed titles. She has been in childrens publishing for more than twenty years and has a keen understanding of early reader through YA audiences. She has an excellent reputation with established authors, illustrators, and agents.

 – Enrollment in the Online Writing course Making Picture Book Magic in the month of your choice (a $99 value)

 – A signed copy of TUGBOAT by Michael Garland (not even released yet!) AND
    a signed copy of A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS by Julie Hedlund (Keep for yourself or give as a holiday gift to a little person in your life :))  PLUS
    a $25 Amazon Gift Card

 – A Picture Book Manuscript Critique from author/illustrator Sarah Frances Hardy, author and illustrator of PUZZLED BY PINK (Viking Juvenile, April 2012) and the forthcoming PAINT ME!. A great choice for someone who is both an author and an illustrator – and I know we have quite a few of those here 🙂

 – 2014 Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market by Chuck Sambuchino (your choice of paperback or Kindle edition)

 – The Crock Of Charms Anthology – a three volume collection of stories for readers of all ages from writers all over the world including some you probably know 🙂  Robyn Campbell, Cheryl Secomb, Clarike Bowman-Jahn, Theresa Milstein, Lenny Lee, and me, to name a few 🙂

(Run your mouse over the prizes, books, authors, etc… most of them are links)

The Contest Winner will have first choice of the prizes.  2nd place will have next choice of what’s left and so on.  (I’m doing it this way in the hopes that no one will get something they already have – for example, if you’ve already signed on for Julie’s 12×12 or taken Making Picture Book Magic or own RAIN! and PEACE, BABY! etc.  – and also because I think all the prizes are fabulous and I wouldn’t want to make anyone feel less valued by giving them as 6th place as opposed to 1st.)

Wow!  Let’s get the Holiday Party started! 🙂

Here is my sample… to prove that in can in fact be done… and because I wouldn’t ask you to do anything I won’t do myself…  (But seriously, whose idea was 350 words?  It’s cramping my style! :))

The Trouble With Santa’s Suit (350 words)

On Christmas Eve the sleigh was packed.
The reindeer waited, snug in red velvet blankets.
Santa struggled into the tuxedo he always wore and turned pale.
“Elton!” he hollered.
Chief Elf Elton came running.
“Oh, dear!” he gasped.  “Dry-cleaning disaster!”
The sleeves barely reached Santa’s elbows.  The pants fell short of his knees.  He looked like an underdressed penguin.
“You’ll have to wear something else,” said Mrs. Claus.
But Santa was stuck in his shrunken suit.
“I can’t get it off!” he said.
“Go on a diet,” suggested Elton.
“I don’t think that will work in ten minutes!” said Santa, “I’ve got to go!”
“Call the fire department,” suggested Elton.
“I’m not on fire!” said Santa.
“Everyone calls the fire department for emergencies!” said Elton.
The fire department arrived in a jiffy.  Chief Bumpkin took charge.  “Grab the hose, men!” he ordered.  “We’ll blow that suit off the Big Guy!”
“The hose?” asked Santa.  “I don’t think…”
Icy water blasted Santa off his feet.
“STOP!” spluttered Santa.
“Plan B!” ordered Chief Bumpkin.
The firemen picked up their axes to cut the suit off.
“No axes!” said Santa.
“Well,” said the Chief, “there’s always Plan C…”
The firemen divided into four groups, one by each arm, one by each leg.  On the count of three they pulled the suit to shreds.
“Great job!” said Chief Bumpkin.  The firemen shook hands, gathered up their hose, and left.
Santa sat glumly in a puddle.  “Now I have nothing to wear.”
“How about this?” suggested Mrs. Claus holding up Santa’s Bermuda shirt and shorts.
“It’s TWENTY BELOW ZERO!” said Santa.
“Good point.  Overalls?  Your bunny costume from Halloween?”
“I don’t like to mix my holidays,” said Santa.
“You’d better agree to something or you’re going to miss Christmas!”
Just then Elton returned breathlessly with a red velvet suit.
“How about this?” he asked.
It fit perfectly.
“I love it!” Santa exclaimed.  Then he sniffed.  “Does anyone else smell reindeer?”
“Not me,” said Elton.
Santa climbed aboard the sleigh.  “Merry Christmas!” he called.

And away he flew in the red velvet suit he’s worn ever since.



So now!  Everyone filled with confidence about their entries?  I certainly hope so after that display!  Never let it be said that I’m not willing to be a fool for my art 🙂

I can’t wait to read all of your (much better!) stories!  I hope there will be a lot – the more the merrier!  And there are still 4+ days to write, so you have time if you haven’t written yet and want to join the fun.  Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well.

Remember to put your post-specific link (not your general blog link or people will find the wrong page if you post again before the contest is over) in the list below!

Don’t miss 38 entries in the comment section below (which thanks to Penny I’ve figured out how to link, so if you click on the person’s name it will take you directly to that story so you can read and comment… just give it a second to load 🙂  And this intelligence just in – if you’re trying to work these links on iPad or iPhone you will need the google Chrome app to get them to work – Safari won’t do it.)
Nancy – Toby’s Christmas: Ho Ho Ho Or No No No?
Suzy – Reindeer In The Eggnog
Mandy – One Squirrelly Christmas
Lakshmy – Santa’s Stocking
Kristen – The Great Christmas Morning Mix-Up
Teresa S – Always Ready Or Not
Michele – Santa Is Stuck
Kim – Popcorn For Santa On Christmas Eve
Ryan (Rino) – The Adventures Of Jonathan James
Alissa – Santa’s Stuck On the Toilet
Kirsten (not to be confused with Kristen above) – Blackout!
Karen – Santa’s New Toy-Making Machine
Anne – The Gingerbread House Disaster
Ann – The Christmas Present
Sue – Pup Unwrapped
Tim – O Deer
Diane – Frank’s Adventure With Santa And The Elves
Karen Z – Santa’s Snow Angel
Michelle S – Cookies For Papa Noel
Pat – Santa’s Paws
Vicki – Mrs. Claus Saves Christmas
Charlotte – Goldilocks’s Night Before Christmas
Susan – The Christmas Wagon
Pia – Santa Baby
Rachel – Fresh Frosting
Bonnie – The Sound And Smell Of Christmas
Martha – A Christmas Surprise
Patty – Santa’s Special Gift
Susan S – Snowman On A Roll
Kristen 2 – No Sleep For Santa (same author as The Great Christmas Morning Mix-Up above)
Debbie – Home For Christmas
Rita – George’s Christmas Present: A True Story
Sue – Blue Latkes And Salsa
Ruth – Santa Claus Has Lost His Voice
Heather – Behind Schedule
Morgan – A Brother For Christmas
Kelly – Happy Birthday Bambino
Kristen S – Dasher Does A Dash


Happy Writing and Happy Holiday Season!!! 🙂

923 thoughts on “Ho! Ho! Ho! The 3rd Annual Holiday Writing Contest Is Here!”

  8. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    I know – I'm sorry I haven't gotten there yet! My internet is a disaster today – probably because of all the ice – and I've been taking care of my parents so not here to read. But I'll get there… eventually 🙂

  10. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    Excellent job, Kim! Very cute and funny! 🙂 And Jack and Jolly are so delightfully child-like in their interchanges! I love how one problem after another doesn't stop the optimistic Jack, and how Jolly is the practical one :)… except that Mrs. Claus turns out to be the most practical of all 🙂 I'm so glad you decided to debut your contest writing skills! Thanks so much for joining in the holiday fun! 🙂

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  19. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    Ah, but now you've written two awesome things instead of just one 🙂 And I don't know – I bet a lot of us end up on 350 because we're desperately cutting a word at a time to get down to it… and if we accidentally go below we add words back 🙂 And posting on Friday the 13th could be fun 🙂

  25. Stacy Couch says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    And…we're off! Looking forward to reading about everybody's mishaps once I get a moment.
    Love the Santa in a tux, Susanna. Kept thinking of a 007 Santa: Name's Nick. SAINT Nick.

  26. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    Aw! What a lovely story, Ryan! Celebrating the true spirit of Christmas! I'm glad Jonathan James was able to see what was important, and that the struggling family got something special for Christmas. Thank you so much for joining in the holiday fun!

  30. Cheryl Secomb says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    Vila, I couldn't comment on your blog, so I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your entry, A Merry Mixed-up Table. What a fun and sweet story. Great job!

  32. KIm Tyser says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    Thank you Susanna! As my one and only PB writing teacher that means a LOT to me 🙂 I'm glad you had this contest and that I was able to give it a try.

  33. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    Oh gosh! That's a whole 'nother story! You'd better write that one! 🙂 My internet has been out most of the day because of the ice, so I'm way behind in reading the stories so very much looking forward to catching up tomorrow!

  40. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    Thanks so much for your kind words about my story, Carrie – I'm glad you liked it 🙂 As for keeping up, I'm not this time! My internet has been out all day because I live on an ice-covered mountain at the moment! Hoping to catch up tomorrow! And looking forward to your entry!!!

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  41. Karen Troncale says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    Santa's New Toy-Making Machine

    “We’re low on toys this year. So I ordered this toy-making machine,” announced Santa. “We’ll try it tomorrow morning.” The elves cheered.
    The North Pole mice peeked at it from their mouse hole. “We must destroy it,” said Chief.
    “Why?” asked Spotty.
    “Because machines don’t eat cookies. No cookies – no crumbs. No crumbs – we starve. But don’t worry. I have a plan.”
    That night, the mice nibbled on the machine’s wires.
    In the morning, Santa pushed the start button. The machine hummed, the conveyer belt rolled, and out popped a new toy.
    “It works!” shouted Santa. “Let’s go have breakfast.”
    “Your plan didn’t work,” said Crooked Tail as the mice watched the machine spit out toy after toy.
    When Santa returned, toys were everywhere.
    But Santa,” cried one elf, “this boat has wheels!”
    “And this car has a sail!” said another.
    “Every toy has something wrong with it.”
    “Oh, my,” said Santa. “I can’t give these away. Some children will be very disappointed.” He trudged out of the workroom.
    “Your plan worked,” said Crooked Tail.
    “But now some children will be sad,” said Spotty.
    “Maybe we can make it right,” said Chief. “I have another plan.”
    Ten minutes later Chief found Santa. He crawled up on his lap.
    “Who are you?” asked Santa.
    “I’m Chief, one of the workshop mice, and I’m here to help you.”
    “How?”
    “Right now, mice are taking wheels off boats and sails off cars. They’re fixing all the toys.”
    “Wonderful!” said Santa.
    “This was all my fault. My friends and I nibbled on your machine’s wires.”
    “Why?”
    “Because machines don’t eat cookies. Without crumbs, we starve.”
    They didn’t notice Mrs. Clause listening by the door.
    Later, Mrs. Clause peeked into the warehouse. “It’s time to go,” she said.
    “I’m ready,” said Santa.
    Mrs. Clause set plates of cookies on the floor and smiled. “I’ll make sure you’re never hungry again.”
    The mice cheered.
    Santa climbed aboard his sleigh.
    “We’ll replace the wires while you’re gone,” said Chief.
    “Ho, ho, ho,” said Santa. “Merry Christmas to all, and especially to our new little friends!”

  42. Kirsten Peavy Bock says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    Thanks! Actually I did not make that up. Blitzen is German for lightning. I learned that as I was trying to think of what to write for this contest, so thank you!

  48. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    What a cute story, Karen! I love that Chief's mind works just like a kid's – reasoning things in a way that makes perfect sense to him but is innocently misguided 🙂 I'm glad Mrs. Claus made some cookies just for them 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the holiday fun! 🙂

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