I’ve been a judge for a number of different writing contests for young writers and for adults. I’ve even been the prize in a mentorship contest. As a judge, however, each competition is different in what it will ask of you personally—how much time, thought, and perhaps even research you will have to put into it. Some contests are less organized than others. Some are very well organized, such as the Royal Palm Literary Awards (RPLA). Some require in-person, or … Read More »

As a teacher of writing, I have had the pleasure of working with some creative, ambitious young authors who write with passion and originality. However, their fan base generally resided within the walls of our classroom. If you are a young author, and you would like to take your writing to the next level, this post is for you. Read the advice and check out the list of publications and contests. Take a step toward seeing your work in print! … Read More »

It’s that time again—submitting entries, monitoring email, planning the perfect outfit, imagining the feel of that engraved trophy, practicing your handshake for Chris Coward. Just me? The excitement surrounding the Royal Palm Literary Awards is palpable at each stage of the process from sending in your work to getting notifications of advancement to that glorious banquet day. In order to save you time and possible frustration with the process, we’ve gathered a list of do’s and don’ts to help you … Read More »