It’s back! The Whole Megillah’s contest for Jewish-themed picture book manuscripts! Kar-Ben publisher Joni Sussman will be judging. Of special interest: creative Hanukkah stories!

Submission Guidelines:

• Send the entire manuscript of your Jewish-themed picture book to The Whole Megillah at barbarakrasner (at) att (dot) net. It should be double-spaced and use 12 point type, preferably Times Roman. Please use a cover page with your name, contact information, and the title of your manuscript. Do not put your name on the manuscript itself.
• Include The Whole Megillah on your blogroll if you have a blog
• Share the news about the contest on Facebook and Twitter (#TWMblog)
• Send proof of inclusion in your blogroll and your Facebook and Twitter messages to The Whole Megillah along with your submission

Deadline: April 1, 2014

Judge: Joni Sussman, Publisher, Kar-Ben

Prizes:First Place — Free 1 year access to Kar-Ben’s ebookstore or a set of Kar-Ben’s…

15th Annual Jewish Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Seminar

Sponsored by the Jewish Book Council

Sunday, November 10, Center for Jewish History

Learn more>>>

Jewish Story

Sponsored by The Whole Megillah LLC in conjunction with the Association of Jewish Libraries

Sunday, May 18, 2014 at Temple Emanu-El, New York City. Keynote Speaker: Peninnah Shram. Panels on children’s books, memoir, poetry, and fiction. Panelists include Deborah Heiligman, April Halprin Wayland, Susan Lynn Meyer, Rebecca Short, Ellen Cassedy, Nancy K. Miller, Joy Ladin, Nora Gold, Elana Bell, Michal Mahgerefteh

Learn more>>>

Writing Jewish-themed Children’s Books

Sponsored by the Highlights Foundation

Guest faculty includes author Anna Levine from Israel, agent Rubin Pfeffer of East West Literary Agency and senior editor Debra Hess of Highlights for Children

Sunday, June 8 – Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Learn more>>>

When I finally decided to write for children with the intention of becoming published, I got online. I made writing friends. And I listened to them talk.

In the fall of 2008, everyone got loud about an event: NaNoWriMo—National Novel Writing Month. Sounded great! Write a 50,000 novel in a month, join a community of writers doing the same, talk shop every day, and become immersed in the work. I’d feel like a REAL writer.

Except I didn’t write novels. And the thought of writing one? Daunting.

You see, my entire life I’ve been a fan of the short form. I prefer the brilliance in its brevity. I understand how every word must be carefully selected, how every action and scene must contribute to the “single effect,” as dubbed by Edgar Allen Poe. I studied short stories in college, I read short stories voraciously and I began my writing career…

Attention Jewish children’s novel writers!

In honor of Jewish Book Month, The Whole Megillah is hosting its third annual Write Your Own Megillah event. Think of it as the Jewish equivalent of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). From October 26 through November 26, 2013, 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 October 26.

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 later.

How: If you are interested in participating, please sign up…

The 2013 The Whole Megillah Jewish Children’s Picture Book Manuscript Contest

It’s back! The Whole Megillah’s contest for Jewish-themed picture book manuscripts! Kar-Ben publisher Joni Sussman will be judging. And the first place prize? A Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader!

Submission Guidelines:

• Send the entire manuscript of your Jewish-themed picture book to The Whole Megillah at barbaradkrasner (at) gmail (dot) com. It should be double-spaced and use 12 pt. type, preferably Times Roman. Please use a cover page with your name, contact information, and the title of your manuscript. Do not put your name on the manuscript itself.
• Include The Whole Megillah on your blogroll if you have a blog
• Share the news about the contest on Facebook and Twitter (#TWMblog)
• Send proof of inclusion in your blogroll and your Facebook and Twitter messages to The Whole Megillah along with your submission

Deadline: February 15, 2013

Judge: Joni Sussman, Publisher…