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Searching for the Next Great Children’s Book

Apr29
2009
Written by Lori Degman

New Author Lori DegmanYou can’t have great children’s books — without great people to write them!

Longtime First Book supporter Cheerios has developed an exciting contest for aspiring, previously unpublished writers. Over the last seven years Cheerios has been delivering books to families by putting 35 million free books inside boxes, and making annual donations to First Book. In addition, Cheerios added the Spoonfuls of Stories New Author Contest in 2007 as a way to encourage up-and-coming children’s book authors, and continue to nurture a love of reading.

Today’s guest blogger, Lori Degman, is the grand prize winner of the 2nd Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories New Author Contest. Lori, a Chicago area special education teacher who works with deaf and hard-of-hearing children, won for her story, “1 Zany Zoo.”

The day before Thanksgiving, I got a phone call from the people at Cheerios telling me I was the grand prize winner (you may have heard me screaming)! Not only did I win a $5,000 cash prize, but also the opportunity to have my book reviewed by a publisher. And guess what?? Simon & Schuster is going to publish the story as a picture book! The book is expected to be released in spring 2010, initially as a paperback distributed inside Cheerios cereal boxes, and in the summer, published by Simon & Schuster in hardcover.

After years of trying to get published, this is a dream come true! Thank you to Cheerios, the judges and the editors at Simon & Schuster!

P.S. I want to add a big CONGRATULATIONS to the two runners-up in the contest: Tameka Fryer Brown, for her story, “I’m Not Eating That!” and Joan Stradling, for her story, “Who Invites a Pig to Dinner?”

If you have an idea for a children’s book, you may want to check out www.spoonfulsofstoriescontest.com! That’s because the 3rd Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories New Author Contest is open for entries through July 15, 2009. A description of the contest and other details are on the web site. Winners will be announced by March 2010. Are you the next great children’s book author?

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Books & Reading, Guest Blog Posts - Tagged cheerios, New York Times, Spoonfuls of Stories
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6 Comments

  1. Maribel Thomas's Gravatar Maribel Thomas
    April 30, 2009 at 11:27 pm | Permalink

    Hi There
    I think I have a really great book however it has just been released this week called Party in the Sky it is a picture book that helps allay the fear of storms for young children I have written several other books but at this stage they are sitting on my PC check out Party in the Sky youll love it!!

  2. Yolanda Jackson's Gravatar Yolanda Jackson
    May 3, 2009 at 6:25 pm | Permalink

    Hi Everyone,
    I have written the great novel Peter Carrot-top.After Years of trying to get published, I published it myself.I just love reading ;after struggling with a learning disorder I decided to write books that will not only inspire children but keep them reading.

    I have enter the cheerios contest, I am so excited,wish me luck. thanks!!

  3. Paola Torres's Gravatar Paola Torres
    May 14, 2009 at 6:37 pm | Permalink

    I’m writing a book, well 6 books actually… though I’m only a 13 year old teen, my dreams are just as big as any adult’s! Just bigger!! I can not wait until I become of age and get to enter these contests! I wish all of you luck for now!

  4. deborah thornton's Gravatar deborah thornton
    May 28, 2009 at 1:57 pm | Permalink

    I am looking for a publisher to publish
    my manuscript title “positive thinking for children”

  5. Elite's Gravatar Elite
    June 4, 2009 at 5:51 pm | Permalink

    Hey. I’m looking for a publisher to publish my story/manuscript called “Backbiting”

  6. Jade's Gravatar Jade
    June 22, 2009 at 12:57 am | Permalink

    Hi, im 13 years old. I have a passion to write. I want to be the youngest african- american author. I am working on a book. Its called Take a Journey. Its about a 14 year old. thats all I’m going to say because i dont want someone to steal this book. Can I enter this contest? Ny novel willinspire girls of all races!

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