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Defy the Dark New Author Contest
HarperTeen, Figment, and YA author/editor Saundra Mitchell host open anthology contest.
Saundra Mitchell wants to pay it forward in a big way. She got her break as a brand new author when a producer plucked her script out of a slush pile more than fifteen years ago. Now that she's published three teen novels (Shadowed Summer, The Vespertine, The Springsweet,) Ms. Mitchell is excited to reach a hand back to the next generation of authors with the Defy the Dark New Author Contest.
As a first-time editor, Ms. Mitchell has put together an anthology of teen fiction that spans all genres, written by both critically-acclaimed and bestselling authors. However, the last story in the anthology will be written by an unknown author—perhaps even a teen.
"It's an incredible opportunity," Ms. Mitchell says. "I can't wait to read all the stories and find a new author!"
The publisher, HarperTeen (an imprint of HarperCollins) and Figment, a community for young writers to share their work and hone their craft, are hosting an open call for entries between August 1, 2012 and September 1, 2012. Ms. Mitchell will read every entry, and ultimately pluck the final author from the pack to be professionally edited and published.
The winner will enjoy publication alongside fan favorites Carrie Ryan, Rachel Hawkins, Aprilynne Pike and Beth Revis, as well as a $500 payment for their story, and acknowledgement and byline in the anthology which will debut in both hardcover and trade paperback in June 2013.
Two more stories will be purchased from the runners-up, to be published on the Defy the Dark website. Eligible to win are writers 13 and older in the US and Canada (excluding Quebec,) who haven't earned more than $2000 from their writing.
More information about the rules and format for the contest can be found at Figment at http://dailyfig.figment.com/2012/08/01/defy-the-dark-contest/. More details about the anthology, the professional authors, as well as a downloadable media kit are available at www.defythedark.com.
