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!”

  2. Michelle Heidenrich Barnes says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    Susanna, love your cute story! Lots of great lines: “Dry-cleaning disaster,” “We'll blow that suit off the Big Guy,” and “I don’t like to
    mix my holidays” were three of my favorites.

  5. facebook.com/suthomasartist says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    PUP UNWRAPPED

    Molly Bunny knew that there were only a few days left until the Big Day. The Christmas tree looked wonderful and Mum was in John's room packing presents.
    What Molly saw made her heart beat faster and her eyes twinkle.
    Mum held up the cutest little, fluffy black and white puppy Molly had ever seen. How she wished Hector Hedgehog and Ted could see him.
    Molly was thrilled. A new toy for John. A new friend for her.
    But, oh dear! Molly watched as Mum took a piece of blue sparkly Christmas paper, covered with silver icicles and snowflakes, laid it on the floor and placed the pup right in the middle.
    She wrapped him up and put sticky tape on all the corners.
    Putting the parcel to one side, Mum began to wrap the other presents. Soon there was quite a pile.
    Just then the phone rang and Mum disappeared.
    Quickly Molly jumped down onto John's bed, slid down his duvet cover and scampered over to the pile of presents. Burrowing through the heap, she found the puppy parcel and tore the paper away until she got the pup out.
    “Hello!” she said, “Are you okay?”
    “I'm fine” smiled the pup. Is it Christmas?”
    “No, I couldn't possibly leave you wrapped up until Christmas. You might be scared of the dark.”
    Pup laughed. “I'm not scared. Look!” He held the wrapping paper up to the light.
    “Wow!” she said. “It's beautiful.” Molly could see John's room through a silvery blue haze. It was a wintery wonderland, with glistening, delicate snowflakes falling gently.
    “But I was so looking forward to seeing the little boy's face when he opened me!” said Pup sadly.
    Mum came in.
    Molly darted under the bed.
    “What is happening here?” Mum exclaimed, scratching her head. “I thought I'd wrapped you up. In fact, I'm sure I did.”
    Mum picked Pup up again and wrapped him in a new piece of paper.
    “See you soon!” Pup said, winking at Molly before he vanished.
    “I can't wait,” whispered Molly. “It will be a very Happy Christmas.”

  6. facebook.com/suthomasartist says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    Thank you for this competition,Susanna. It has been a lovely challenge. My son wants to know what happened next – so I am happy! – sorry I have posted in both places… as with Lakshmy, I was keen to get it right – and I am sure you will move me! Thanks again! It has been fun reading all the stories. and… Yes, – my name is Susan!

  9. Alissa Wilson says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    Thanks Susanna! Thanks for having this wonderful contest. It's my first time entering and there are so many wonderful and funny stories!

  12. Elaine Kearns says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    I am soooooo proud of you!!! It is a fantastic story and for Christmas I am giving you a great big bag of self confidence! Love you!! xo

  18. Lakshmy Menon says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    Thank you so much- I am so glad you liked the story! “Turkey Christmas” is straight from the heart- very touching.

  22. Cheryl Secomb says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    Catherine, I couldn't figure out how to comment on your blog, but your story is wonderful! I don't want to give the story away, so I won't say more, but I loved it! 🙂

  24. Anne Cavanaugh Sawan says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    The Gingerbread House Disaster

    “Class,” announced Mrs. Knickers. “Don’t forget, tomorrow is the holiday gingerbread house contest.”

    “AndI’m going to win,” Henry whispered
    smugly to Eliza.

    “Oh, really,” she whispered back. “Just
    you wait.”

    Henry had already won the blue ribbon for the Apple Poetry Contest and the Pumpkin Tossing Contest and The Gobble like a Turkey Contest.

    Eliza was not about to let him win again.

    Athome she took out the flour, eggs and spices and baked up a big batch of delicious gingerbread, then she carefully cut out walls, glued them together with frosting,
    rolled up her sleeves and began decorating:

    First
    she crushed up five peppermint
    candies to make a long path;

    next
    she lined the edges with four red lollipops;

    then
    she made three windows out of green
    gumdrops,

    stacked
    marshmallows to make two snowmen;

    and
    finally stuck one gigantic chocolate
    bar door on the front.

    She scattered powdered sugar all over everything and

    WAHLA!

    It was perfect!

    The next day Eliza walked into school with her gingerbread house tucked safely inside a box.

    BZZT!
    BZZT!

    The school bell rang and all of the students rushed in, eager for the contest to begin, someone bumped into Eliza and…her box fell.

    Slowly Eliza picked it up and peeked inside.

    Then she sat down; keeping her box at her feet, she knew there would be no winning now.

    Henry’s house won first prize (of course).

    “Congratulations,” Eliza mumbled.

    “Thanks,” said Henry, looking around. “But where’s…?”
    (Grumble) “Boy, I sure am getting hungry looking at all this yummy gingerbread.”

    (Grrr) “Me too,” said Mrs. Knickers, patting her stomach.

    Eliza thought for a moment then slid the box out from under her desk.

    She passed the broken bits of her house around the classroom, and after the last morsel was gone, Mrs. Knickers licked her fingers, smacked her lips, stood up and said,

    “Students, I would like to declare another winner.
    The prize for the most delicious gingerbread house this year goes to… Eliza!”

    Everyone cheered, and even Henry smiled as Eliza received her first blue ribbon.

  27. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    Oh, I'm so glad there was a happy ending, Anne! I felt so bad for Eliza when her beautiful house fell and broke – haven't we all had something like that happen to us at one time or another?! Thanks for a wonderful entry and for joining the holiday fun! 🙂

  38. Ann Magee says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    The Christmas Present

    By Ann Magee

    The puppy Santa left under my tree on Christmas Eve has been acting a bit weird. Don’t get me wrong…I absolutely LOVE him…his fur is brown, and he is as soft as my favorite fuzzy blanket. He has big brown eyes, skinny legs, and a cute stubby tail. I think he likes the way I taste because he licks me all the time.

    When it was time to eat, though, he sniffed his dog food bowl, looked at me, and walked away. I was eating salad for dinner and
    dropped a lettuce leaf on the floor. Guess what happened…my dog ate it right up and looked at me for more. So I put my whole bowl of salad on the floor. He loved it…I think my dog is
    a vegetarian. He can eat my vegetables every day, no problem!

    When it was time to drink, though, he sniffed his water bowl, looked at me, and walked away. I was drinking hot chocolate for
    dessert. I even had a candy cane to stir it with. I poured a little into his bowl. Guess what happened…my dog drank it right up and looked at me for more. So I poured my whole cup of hot chocolate in his bowl, candy cane and all. He loved it!

    When it was time to go to bed, though, he wouldn’t sit still. He kept running and jumping in the hallway. He leaped off the bed. He leaped off the dresser. Then guess what happened . . . he leaped off
    the top of the steps! I must say, he’s a pretty good jumper. He stayed in the air for at least 5 seconds.

    I still haven’t decided what to name my puppy . . . oh, wait a minute . . . he’s wearing a name tag. It says, “Blitzen Jr.”. That’s a cool name for a dog, don’t you think?

  40. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    ENTRY POSTED FOR TIM

    ‘O Deer’ by Tim Williams

    All was quiet at Busy Bee Cottage. Timmy
    Elephant had put an extra log on the fire and he and Colin Piggy had toasted
    and eaten they’re breakfast crumpets when there was a very loud knock at the
    door.

    Colin and scampered to the door closely
    followed by Timmy. When they opened it they found a small Reindeer stood
    outside clutching a rolled up piece of paper.

    “Hello” said the reindeer “I’ve come to
    stay. I’ve got me letter.’

    Timmy took the paper and rolled it out on
    the floor.

    ‘Dear Timmy and Colin’, he read, ‘please
    can you look after O Deer till after Christmas. I’ll replace any broken items.
    Love Santa.’

    ‘You’d
    better come in then.’ Said Colin

    O stepped forward, caught his horns on the doorframe
    and grabbed Colin who fell over backwards with O Deer on top.

    ‘Oh dear’ said O Deer. ‘It was lucky I fell
    on you, I might have hurt myself. It’s
    me antlers I’ve just grown them and they gets caught on things.’

    Colin struggled to his feet trying not to
    get prodded in the eye.

    O Deer proved a lively companion and Timmy
    and Colin often found themselves on the horns of a dilemma trying to keep their
    things safe. O Deer was forever knocking things off shelves, cups and jugs went
    flying, and they had to untangle him from paper chains, the tablecloth and bed
    covers. O Deer always said sorry and one or both of them said ‘Oh Deer never
    mind.’

    When they went to bed at night O Deer slept
    in the middle, Colin and Timmy hardly got a wink with O Deer’s prodding’s.

    On Boxing Day Santa stopped by to pick him
    up. Santa was as good as his word and left them a box of cups and saucers and
    so on. In spite of the commotion he had
    caused they were both sad to see him leave.

    ‘I wonder why they called him O Deer’
    Pondered Colin Piggy. ‘I wonder’ said Timmy Elephant.

    ( images of Timmy and Colin on Linkedin)

  42. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    ENTRY POSTED FOR DIANE

    FRANK’S
    ADVENTURE WITH SANTA AND THE ELVES

    Frank is our big loveable dog with reddish
    hair and large brown eyes. He wears a
    smile on his face and can’t wait to lick your cheeks when
    you get close. His favorite place to snooze is a patch of grass under a tree in our backyard overlooking Beaver Creek.

    On Christmas Eve last year, loud sleigh
    bells were heard behind our home in Bouton, Iowa.

    Santa and his reindeer were running along Beaver Creek in full speed with a sleigh full of presents for all of the children in Iowa!

    Frank simply could not resist. He scrambled down the bank and jumped on Santa’s sleigh, while imagining to himself what an adventure this was going to be!

    Santa looked at Frank and said, “Well hello my fine hairy friend! If you are going to travel with us, you will have to make yourself useful! You
    can help the elves deliver the gifts to all the children on my list!” Frank looked at Santa and barked YES with a wagging tail! Oh, he
    couldn’t wait to assist Santa on this cold Christmas night!

    Santa and his elves with a very eager Frank proceeded to deliver presents to all of the children in Iowa on that cold, Christmas night.

    Frank was a very tired but happy dog by the end of this trip. However, his family was very worried when they woke up and did not see him resting by the fireplace.

    A loud bark was heard at the front door of his home at 6 am Christmas morning. Frank’s family opened the door and said, “Frank, where have you been? We’ve been so worried about you!” He barked and wagged his tail while lazily walking to his cushion by the fireplace.

    Frank snoozed for a very long time while dreaming
    about the exciting sleigh ride with Santa and the elves. He will never forget how happy this trip made all of the children in Iowa that
    wonderful Christmas Eve night!

  44. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    Oh, I love it, Ann! What a delightful story! I wonder whether your child ever figured out what his/her puppy really was? 🙂 And Now I want hot chocolate with a peppermint stick 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the holiday shenanigans over here! 🙂

    Settings

  45. Cindy Williams Schrauben says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    YAY! Love the new link to the stories that are in the comments section. Now I don't have to scroll through each time. Thanks, Susanna and Penny!!!

  49. Kim Tyser says:
    Reply
    Unknown's avatar

    That was a Wonderful story Ann! At first I thought the puppy was going to turn out to be a rabbit. I enjoyed reading it very much 🙂