It's on! Texas Book Festival writing contest

The Texas Book Festival has launched its 8th Annual Fiction Writing Contest, open to all junior high and high school students in Texas.

Submit your original fiction, no more than 2,000 words in length, to be judged by a panel of fancy-pants Texas authors (some of whom will appear at the 2009 Texas Book Festival, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 in Austin).  This year's theme: "In My Own Backyard."

What are the judges looking for? Excellent use of dialogue, character development, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution. Work will be judged in three divisions: Grades 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 (as per the 2008-09 school year).

The first place winner will receive the award and read the winning story at the Texas Book Festival in Austin this fall. Get busy, aspiring writers!