Attention Jewish children’s novel writers!
In honor of Jewish Book Month, The Whole Megillah is hosting its second annual Write Your Own Megillah event. Think of it as the Jewish equivalent of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). From November 7 through December 7, 2012, 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 7.
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 barbaradkrasner at gmail 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 and the first 36,000-word YA novel manuscript submitted to me (I will verify word count) will receive a three-chapter critique by Regina Griffin, executive editor at Egmont USA.
Hope to hear from you!
The Whole Megillah 
I’m in – sounds like just the kick in the rear that I need to get the tush in the chair!
Drora
Awesome, Drora! I’ll send you a registration form in the next few days. And thanks so much for the quick response!
Thank you for being so enthusiastic and motivational!
My pleasure! I’m hoping this event is even bigger than last year’s!
BK,
I REALLY need to do this – but I’m scared! I should, right?
xoxo
Barbara B
Barbara B.,
You should absolutely do this! Push past the fear. You have nothing to lose and much to gain. This event is all about quantity, not quality. It helps to quiet the internal editor and just get words on the paper. At the end, you’ll have most if not all of a first draft!
BK
Very cool, Barbara! I am actually sponsoring a group of middle school writers in NaNoWriMo this year. I may write along with them for this event. I’m just not sure I want to put my work in progress on hold for a month.
Thanks, Randi. The beauty of Write Your Own Megillah is that you don’t have to write 50,000 words. Nano doesn’t do that, because it’s aimed at the adult market. And, we offer a critique by an acquiring editor. Nano doesn’t do that either.
But let me also say that I’m a two-time Nano participant and loved it! I have 50,000 of a contemporary “hen lit” novel and 50,000 words of a Jewish genealogy memoir.
Barbara
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Reblogged this on Klempner's Kosher Books and commented:
A great opportunity for anyone who has always wanted to write a novel, but been afraid to try.
Thanks for the mention on your blog!
What about picture book writers? I assume this is NOT the forum for that genre.
Lesley Simpson
Hi, Leslie,
You assume correctly. This is not an event for picture book writers, but there will be upcoming events for both picture book readers and picture book writers. Thanks for the question!
Barbara
I’m in!
xoxo
Fantastic! I’ll send you a registration form.
I have lots of ideas swirling around in my head. Maybe this will push them out onto paper–or at least onto “screen.” I’m terrified of writing “so many words” but I’ll give it a try! I’m in.
Marcia,
Great to hear! I’ve just sent you a registration form.
Barbara
Hi Barbara,
I would like to participate!
I’ll be sending you a registration form – and thanks for participating!
Barbara
Love to try, Barbara! Please sign me up.
Great, Andria! I’ll be sending you a registration form. And thanks for participating!
Barbara
Barbara,
Does our YA novel have to deal with Jewish content?
Thanks,
Randi
Randi,
Yes – in some way.
Best,
Barbara
Okay. One more: Is it okay to go over the word limit?
Yes, that would be fine.
Barbara
Thanks, Barbara. I’m in!
Off to a slow start, but beginnings are always hard. Still I’m in the game and off and running. Not sure where I’ll end up, but the ideas are starting to sprout.A family of four girls. Teacher/ mom –OB dad who disappears when he leaves to deliver a baby. My MC is angry that he’s never there when they “need” him. Where has he gone? Will he return? Maybe a modern day version of All of a Kind Family–but not–brewing? We’ll see. And after the last 2 week, I’m sure the weather will factor in.
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