This is Louisville PTO's first year to offer Authors of Tomorrow Writing Contest. The entry requirements vary depending upon age group of student. Please see guidelines below. If you have any questions, please email aot@louisvillepto.com.
THEME:
"Be the change you want to see in the world."
~ Ghandi
PRIZES:
Winners will be announced at the Louisville PTO Virtual Annual Membership Meeting on May 6, 2020.
Winners will receive one free printed copy of their winning books, a small cash prize, and an "I Love JCPS" t-shirt. Teachers who assist are also eligible for a tshirt and copy of the winning books. There will be one winner per grade level, up to 13 winners total. Additional sponsors welcome!
ENTRY PROCEDURE:
Complete the online entry form and upload files according to the instructions.
Entries must be submitted digitally by midnight May 1, 2020. Scan or take a photograph of each page. Louisville PTO is not responsible for late, lost, misdirected, damaged, incomplete or illegible entries.
Kindergarten - 5th Grade
Eligibility Guidelines
All entrants must be in kindergarten-5th grade. For eligibility, single-author stories must be written within the current school year (2019-2020). Fiction or nonfiction are welcomed. Children of judges and/or the PTO board are not eligible.
Story Format & Illustrations
Included on the cover or title page should be the student's full name, grade level and school. All work should be on the front of the page (Do NOT write on the back of any page). Lined paper is fine; however, illustrations should be on an unlined area. Text should be written legibly or typed. Invented spelling is accepted, but the intended words should be understandable (clear). Each entry must include at least 7 original illustrations. All characters must be original. Copyrighted names and images are NOT allowed. If nonfiction work is written, it should be based on research, with a list of sources used. Students may conference with parents, teachers, and peers on their work. Include a short bio (age, interests, grade, school, as well as how the student connected the theme to their story) and photo. Video bio optional. Parent permission required.
Word Count
Kindergarten and first grade stories must include between 50-200 words; second and third grade between 100-300 words; fourth and fifth grade between 100-400 words. The word count includes "a," "an," and "the" but not words that enhance illustrations, such as labels, i.e., "SHORT STORY."
Middle and High School
Eligibility Guidelines
Entrants must be in the middle (6th-8th) or high school (9th-12th) grades. Only stories written within the current school year are eligible. Stories can be fiction or nonfiction. If the work is nonfiction, a list of resources should be included. Children of judges or on the PTO Board are not eligible.
Story Format & Illustrations
Student's full name, grade level and school must be included on a cover or title page. All work should be the front of the page only. Text should be typed. Original characters are the only ones accepted. Copyrighted names and images are NOT allowed. Non-fiction work based on research should include a list of sources used. Students may conference with parents, teachers, and peers on their work. Include a short bio (age, interests, grade, school, as well as how the student connected the theme to their story) and photo. Video bio optional. Parent or teacher permission required.
Word Count
Short stories must include between 400-1200 words. The word count includes "a," "an," and "the."