Ready... Set... Write!
After a lot of planning, we want to announce our "First Annual Summer writing contest" open to grades 1-7. Let us read your fiction or non-fiction dog stories. Be creative.
Submissions must be postmarked between June 1, 2026 and August 15, 2026.
See below for rules and entry form.
Sarah M Books 1St annual SUMMER WRITERS CONTEST
Stand Out Among Many! The 2026 Summer Writing Contest begins on June 1, 2026 and ends on August 15, 2026. This Contest consists of one round of local judging.
Sarah Mitchell is the author of one YA novel “Unwanted: Abandoned but never broken” and two children’s books “Morgan: The Goofy therapy Newfie” and “Murphy: The Goofy Newfie with autism”. The Goofy Newfie crew; will be a 7 book series.
Sarah wants to hear fiction and non-fiction stories from kids about dogs!
Contest Rules
To enter the Contest you may submit your entry to Sarah M Books. All entries must be postmarked between June 1st and August 15, 2026 to be eligible. There is no entry fee.
These Contest rules are subject to modification by Sarah M Books at its discretion. This Contest is void where prohibited. Sponsored and coordinated by SMB.
Eligibility & Entry Guidelines:
• Entrants must be children in First, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth grade.
• To be eligible, an entrant must be a legal resident of the fifty (50) United States.
• Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify ineligible entries; such entries will not be returned.
• Only one entry per person will be accepted in this Contest; all subsequent entries will be disqualified. Entries will not be returned.
• Only single author stories qualify (no co-authored stories).
• Stories can be fact or fiction about a dog/dogs.
• No AI art or writing. Must be child’s original work.
• Any failure to adhere to these Contest Rules may result in disqualification from the Contest.
Word Count Requirement
• First and second grade stories must have a minimum of 50 words and a maximum of 200 words.
• Third and fourth grade stories must have a minimum of 100 words and a maximum of 350 words.
• Fifth and sixth grade stories must have a minimum of 200 words and a maximum of 550 words.
• The word count includes “a,” “an,” and “the,” but not the words on non-story pages such as the title page or those that enhance the illustrations.
• Text must be printed or written legibly or typed.
• Children who cannot write may dictate their story to be printed, written legibly or typed.
• Text may be integrated into the illustration pages or on separate pages.
• Non-English text must be translated on the same page and the translated text (English text) must adhere to word count.
• Invented spelling is accepted. Format & Illustrations.
• Stories must have at least four (4) original, clear and colorful illustrations. (NO AI images)
• Original art can include drawings, collages, and 3-D created by the author or photographs taken by the author.
• Stories submitted by mail must be created on one side of the paper and numbered on the back of each page.
Official Entry Form
• Each entry must include the official Sarah M Books Writers Contest Entry Form, with the required signature of a parent/guardian (and, if appropriate, the optional signature of the sponsoring Teacher), consenting to allowing their child/ward to enter the Contest, confirming that the story and art are original and granting certain rights to the entry materials.
• The entry form must be complete and legible to be eligible. Judging, Awards & Notification All entries submitted to the Contest will be judged using the judging criteria and percentages below by a panel of no fewer than three judges selected and coordinated by Sarah M Books. Judging will occur on or about September 1, 2026.
The judging criteria and percentages will be scored and graded using a rubric based on the following criteria as follows:
• 40% Creativity and originality of plot and/or themes.
• 40% Story structure and use of literary devices.
• 20% Relevance, quality and originality of illustration. All decisions of the judges are final and binding and not subject to appeal or review.
Winners will be as follows:
1. The entry with the highest score from among all eligible entries received per grade will be deemed the First Place winners. First place winners will have their stories published in “2026 Goofy Newfie Crew short stories” book, award certificate and 1 copy of book mailed to them.
2. The second to the highest score from among all eligible entries received per grade will be deemed the Second Place winners. They stories will be features in “2026 Goofy Newfie crew short stories” book. Certificated mailed.
3. The entry with the third to the highest score from among all eligible entries received per grade will be deemed the Third Place winners, they will be mailed a certificate.
4. In the event of a tie, the entry with the highest score in the creativity and originality category from among all tying entries will be deemed the winner from among all tying entries.
Winners will be notified on or after September 20, 2026. The “2026 Goofy Newfie crew short stories” will be published with KDP and available on Amazon for purchase on December 1, 2026. After Sarah M Books covers the cost of publication through sales all proceeds will be donated to a local dog rescue. (When donation made. Sarah will post it on her web-site). Sarah Mitchell will be listed as author on cover of “2026 Goofy Newfie crew short Stories” book. Each child-writer’s name with city and state they live in, will be included under the title of their story.
Prizes are not redeemable for cash, non-transferable, and non-substitutable, except at the sole discretion of Sarah M Books. Return of Entries: Sarah M Books will not be returning entries. (Make a copy and mail Sarah M Books the original) Rights Associated with Contest Submission of the Entry Form constitutes permission from the participant’s parent/legal guardian for Sarah M Books to use the participants’ name, likeness, biographical information, information and materials contained in the Entry Form, photographs, and any statements or remarks made about the Contest in advertising and promotion without further compensation or permission, except where prohibited by law.
All entries, and any copyrights therein, become the property Sarah M Books.
By entering, entrants’ parent/legal guardian agree to abide by the above stated rules, and warrant that their child’s/ward’s entry is their original work and does not infringe upon or violate rights of any third party, and grant to Sarah M Books the right to edit, publish, promote, and otherwise use their entry materials without permission, notice or compensation. No royalties will be paid at this or any time. By submitting an entry and Entry Form, each participant’s parent/legal guardian, on behalf of the participant, agrees to assign all right, title, and interest in and to the entry and Entry Form to Sarah M Books warrants that the participant’s parent/legal guardian has the authority to assign such right, title, and interest. In the event that any applicable law requires certain formalities to be fulfilled to effect such grant of rights, each participant (and parent or guardian) agrees to cooperate with Sarah M Books to achieve fulfillment of such formalities. By submitting an Entry Form, each participant’s parent/legal guardian, on behalf of participant, agrees to be bound by these Contest Rules. Each participant’s parent/legal guardian, on behalf of the participant, agrees to release and hold Sarah M Books and its employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, representatives, subsidiaries, parent companies, or other affiliated companies harmless from any and all damages, losses, claims and liabilities arising out of participation in the Contest or resulting from acceptance or claiming of any prize hereunder. Sarah M Books reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate, suspend or otherwise cancel the Contest at any time. Income and all other taxes are the responsibility of the prize recipient. Sarah M Books is not responsible for any expenses incurred in connection with participation in the Contest. Privacy Unless otherwise specified, any and all information connected in connection with this Contest will be used by Sponsor solely for the purpose of administering the Contest.
Subscribe to Sarah’s website for updates: Sarahmbooks.com
Mail your submission with signed entry form to:
Sarah M Books
53 Colony Road
Burgettstown PA 15021
Sarah M Books 1St annual SUMMER WRITERS CONTEST
Child’s Name ________________________________________________ Age _____________
Child’s Mailing Address _____________________________________________________________
Phone (_______) _________________________ Email _____________________________________
Circle Grade: 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade
Title of Story ______________________________________________________________________ Number of Words ______________ Illustrations __________ (minimum of 4)
How did you hear about the contest? ________________________________
Only one entry per child. Only single author stories (no co-authors) • Story must be original work of the child • Original art can include drawings, collages, 3-D and photos taken by the author • No AI art • Story may be fact or fiction about a dog/dogs• Use only one side of the paper • Number each page on the back • Text must be printed/written legibly or typed • Children who can’t write may dictate their story to be printed or typed • Invented spelling is accepted • Story text may be on pages with illustrations or on separate pages • Non-English text must be translated into English text on the same page and the translated English text must adhere to the word count • Word count includes "a" "an" "the" but not words on nonstory pages (e.g. title page) or those that enhance illustrations. SIGNATURE REQUIRED I acknowledge that I have read the Contest rules & regulations prior to signing this and that I understand the rules. (detailed Rules attached)
Parent/Guardian Signature ________________________________________
Email address: ___________________________________________________
Printed Name: ___________________________________________________
Entries MUST be postmarked by August 15, 2026
Subscribe to Sarahmbooks.com for updates.
Mail to: Sarah M Books, 53 Colony Road, Burgettstown PA 15021