Chatting it up with readergirlz

My time as author in residence for readergirlz has reached its near end. I've had a truly blessed journey along the way—coming to know this incredible (award-winning) organization even better and interacting with the younger readers/writers who have participated in the writing contests. One last contest remains, with a December 30 deadline. Shortly on the heels of that, I'll be participating in a live chat with the readergirlz on January 6, 6 PM Pacific/9 PM Eastern @ readergirlz.blogspot.com. I hope you'll join us.

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Making Music: The readergirlz writing contest

This is a reminder to you under-25 writers out there about the readergirlz writing contest that is now up and running. Please visit the readergirlz author-in-residence site to watch a brief video that features yours truly talking about the importance of vulnerability in writing. The contest prompt is described below. The winning work will be posted on this blog.

"I believe that the stories that touch us are written by authors who remain vulnerable to the world - who leave themselves open to the raw wounds and the glorious possibilities of yearning, outreach, and hope. Watch the video, then write no more than ten lines of poetry or prose expressing a fully lived emotion. Send your entry to kephartblog AT comcast DOT net by September 25th, 2009. The author of the winning ten lines will receive a signed copy of Undercover, a novel about a young, aspiring poet who discovers the beauty that lives within her."

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