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Entry Qualifications:
Books by students may be entered in one of three age categories: 1) Ages
6 to 9 2) Ages 10 to 13 3) Ages 14 to 19 Each book submitted must be both
written and illustrated by the same student. Any books that are written
by one student and illustrated by another will be disqualified automatically.
All entries must be submitted via a teacher or librarian.
Entry Fee:
$10.00 per entry. All payments must be made in U.S. currency (check or
money order; no cash), or by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American
Express). The fee will help cover the expenses incurred in properly processing
thousands of book entries.
Deadline for Entry:
All entries must be postmarked on or before June 1, 2009.
Choice of Subject and Style of Text:
Each student's book may be on any subject and in any genre - fiction,
non-fiction, biography, autobiography, mystery, humor, science fiction,
etc. Text may be written in either prose or poetry. Keep in mind that
the best stories have a well-developed beginning, middle, and end.
Interest Level:
The student's book must be written at a level that would be understood
by and of interest to children who are somewhere within the age range
of Kindergarten through Fourth Grade (approximately ages 5 through 9).
Book Dimensions:
All books must be eight and one-half inches (8˝") wide and eleven inches
(11") tall.
Number of Pages:
The combination of text and illustrations should be no less than sixteen
(16) pages and no more than twenty-four (24) pages. In addition, there
must be a Half-Title Page and the Title Pages. Half-Title Page - Consists
of one (1) page, which may include: only the Title, or only an illustration,
or a combination of both. Title Page - Consists of a two-page spread,
which includes: Title, Name of Author/Illustrator, and an illustration.
Number of Illustrations:
Students may develop as many illustrations as they choose; however, there
must be at least one (1) illustration on every two-page spread.
Choice of Media for Illustrations:
Students may develop their own illustrations in any medium of their choice,
as long as the illustrations remain two dimensional and flat to the surface
of the paper (no pop-ups). They may use pencil, water-color, tempera,
ink, colored felt-tip markers, crayon, ORIGINAL computer graphics, or
photographs taken by them, etc. If students use pastels, chalk, or any
other medium that will rub off, each illustration should be properly sprayed
with a fixative.
Type of Paper:
Text - Text should be typed on white paper, either computer or
regular typing paper.
Illustrations - All illustrations should be prepared individually
on good quality sketchpad paper or drawing paper.
Type of Text:
All text should be neatly typed, double-spaced, and in a 12- to 14-point
type. There must be at least a one-inch (1") margin at the top, bottom,
and both sides of each page where text appears. The student or another
individual may do the typing. For picture books, large primary-size type
is permitted. The use of calligraphy or a special style of hand printing
is also permitted, but only if it enhances the design and intent of the
book.
Rules for Editing of Students' Books:
Teachers, librarians, parents, and other individuals may assist the students
in the editing of their books for proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Suggestions may also be given for improving the story lines and artwork.
However, the finished books must be examples of the skills and imaginations
of the students themselves.
Blank Book Construction:
Students will need six eleven-inch (11") by seventeen-inch (17") sheets
of paper, so that when these pages are folded, they can be bound together
into a book that is eight and one-half inches (8˝") wide and eleven inches
(11") tall. After folding the eleven-inch (11") by seventeen-inch (17")
sheets of paper, each page should be inserted one inside another like
the stacking of taco shells one inside another.
Placement of Text and Illustrations:
Once the blank book is completed, the student can cut and paste the completed
artwork and text onto those blank pages. Keeping in mind that there must
be at least one (1) illustration and some text on every two-page spread,
students may now cut and choose where to paste their materials. For example,
a full page of text on one page and a full illustration on the opposite
page; or, an illustration that spans a two-page spread, with bits of text
cut and pasted somewhere on one or both pages, etc.
IMPORTANT: So a reader may easily follow the story
line, it is absolutely necessary that the illustrations reflect the action
taking place in the text on that page or two-page spread.
End Sheets:
The End Sheets may consist of either white or colored paper.
Binding of Books:
Pages (including End Sheets) must be stapled or sewn together on the centerfold,
so all pages will lie flat when opened. Side-stitched or plastic comb-bound
books are not permitted and will disqualify the book entry.
Book Covers:
After the book has been bound, eight and one-half-inch (8˝") by eleven-inch
(11") pieces of stiff cardboard or chipboard must be glued to both the
top and the bottom of the book — similar to a sandwich. This process gives
the book the height and firmness needed to look and feel like a real book
and will make it easier to accommodate the wrap-around book jacket. Covering
the cardboard or chipboard with colored paper is optional.
Book Jackets:
Each book must have a loose Book Jacket which wraps around the cover.
The Book Jacket should contain a Front Panel, Back Panel, and Spine, and
both a Front and Back Flap. All elements of the Book Jacket should be
neatly pasted in position on a large sheet of paper, then trimmed to fit
the book, offering as professional an appearance as possible.
Front Panel - Should contain the Title, the Name of the Author/Illustrator,
and an illustration.
Front Flap - Should be four inches (4") wide. The copy must be
written by the student and neatly typed. It should be a publicity piece
that gives a brief synopsis and tells how wonderful the book is. Allow
no room for modesty here!
Back Flap - Should also be four inches (4") wide. It must include
a photograph of the Author/Illustrator, along with a brief, neatly typed
biography of the student.
Back Panel - For the Contest, the Back Panel may be left blank
because the Entry Form must be securely pasted or taped on the OUTSIDE
of this panel. If there is already artwork and/or type on the Back Panel,
the Entry Form must still be securely pasted or taped on the Back Panel
of the Book Jacket.
Spine - Must contain the Title and the Name of the Author/Illustrator.
Hand lettering is preferred.
Official Entry Form:
The Official Entry Form is printed on the last page of these Rules and
Guidelines. For additional copies, the Entry Form may be photocopied as
needed.
Contest Entries Should Include:
1. Only original books; no photocopies.
2. An Entry Fee of $10.00 per entry. All payments must be made
in U.S. currency. Send only a check or money order (no cash, please),
or pay by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express). Please
make your check or money order payable to "Landmark House, Ltd.". Be sure
to paper-clip the check or money order to the top of the Title Page on
the inside of the book. Books that do no include the entry fee will not
be accepted.
3. A padded Return Book Mailer. To ensure the return of the book,
a padded Return Book Mailer, addressed to the student and stamped with
sufficient postage, must be included. (Check with your post office to
determine the exact amount of postage you need to place on the padded
Return Book Mailer.)
How to Send:
Each entry must be mailed separately. Due to the high volume of entries,
we will not accept phone calls, faxes, or emails to confirm the receipt
of any entries. To verify delivery of entries, please use a parcel service
with tracking or delivery confirmation, such as, but not limited to: USPS
Priority Mail, FedEx, UPS, etc.
Deadline for Entry:
All entries must be postmarked on or before June 1, 2009.
Judging and Selection:
All books are considered by a qualified panel of judges, composed of professional
editors, writers, illustrators, teachers, and librarians. Books are judged
on the merits of originality and the writing and illustrating skills displayed.
Note: Non-winning books will not be edited or critiqued.
Announcement of Winners:
The cataloging and careful judging of thousands of book entries require
several months. Winners will be determined and notified by phone by November
1, 2009.
Return of Books:
All non-winning book entries will be returned during November/December
2009. ONLY those entries which include a padded Return Book Mailer of
sufficient size and stamped with proper postage will be returned.
Scholarships:
Each winner will be given a $15,000.00 scholarship to be applied to an
accredited college, university, or institute of higher learning.
About David Melton:
David Melton, renowned Author and Illustrator of more than 35 books, died
November 8, 2002. His gift to young people was his unique “Melton Method”
by which thousands of students nationwide have been taught to successfully
write and illustrate amazing original books for children. As Creative
Coordinator at Landmark Editions, Mr. Melton initiated the exciting National
Written & Illustrated by… Awards Contest for Students and supervised the
development and publication of 48 outstanding books created by the winning
students.
Ideas to Help Cover the Costs of the Book Supplies and
Entry Fees:
Many times, teachers or librarians contact their PTA, other service organizations,
or local business people for help in sponsoring and funding worthwhile
projects for students. Seek out such resources and make creating your
students’ books an exciting community endeavor. In addition, please see
our upcoming website at www.landmarkhouseltd.com
for other ideas.
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