Write Your Own Megillah! A New Whole Megillah Event

Attention Jewish children’s novel writers!

In honor of Jewish Book Month, The Whole Megillah announces a new writers’ event. During Jewish Book Month 2011, write your own megillah. That’s right. Write Your Own Megillah. From November 21 through December 21, 2011, you’ll have the opportunity to write the novel you’ve always wanted to write.

What: Complete 36,000 words of a YA novel. Or, if your interests and talents lean more toward middle grade, complete 18,000 words. All words must be new — they can’t come from a previously published work or something you crafted before November 21.

Why: The only way to write a novel is to get your tuchas in chair. Be accountable to write a certain amount of words per day. Don’t fret over commas or spelling. Just write. Compile. Create. Leave the editing for December or later.

How: If you are interested in participating, please sign up by commenting to this post and sending your email address to barbarakrasner at yahoo dot com. I will then send you a registration form.

During Jewish Book Month, post your word count each day in the comment section of the Write Your Own Megillah page. Include a paragraph or two if you want.

Throughout the event, count on supportive messages from me, and others connected with the Jewish children’s book world. We all want you to succeed.

Prizes: Yes, there are prizes! The first 18,000-word middle grade novel manuscript with Jewish content submitted to me (I will verify word count) will receive a three-chapter critique by Stephanie Lurie, editorial director at Disney Hyperion. The first 36,000-word young adult novel manuscript with Jewish content submitted to me (I will verify word count) will receive a three-chapter critique by Margery Cuyler, publisher at Marshall Cavendish.

Hope to hear from you!