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Strollerderby
How to Get Your Teen Writing
The teen years may be a time none of us would ever repeat, but there’s only so much we can do to protect our kids from them. They’re going to spend ten years in the thick of it.
But for all the talk of keeping kids reading, there’s one thing parents are forgetting: good writers make healthy teens.
And by good we don’t necessarily mean talented. Studies have linked writing to good psychological health, including stress reduction and an ability to ford through major stressors. Kind of like high school, huh?
Two major publishers have recently stepped up to get kids writing, and you can tap into their resources for your kids:
Harper Collins: It got a soft-launch late last year, but Harper Collins’ new writing platform for teens, InkPop is now officially open for business. Dubbed “an online community that connects rising stars in teen lit with talent-spotting readers and publishing professionals,” it’s been made attractive to teens with a social networking setup. InkPop members work together to help each other with their writing – and HarperCollins keeps an eye out for new talent.
Penguin Putnam: Pairing up with Amazon for the e-tailer’s third annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition, Penguin Group has helped open up the opportunities for young writers this year. For the first time, there will be two grand prizes in the competition – one of general fiction and a second for best young adult novel. Which could mean an adult (hello Mom and Dad) writing for kids OR your kids writing. Running through Feb. 7, the competition will grant each winner a publishing contract with Penguin Group, including a $15,000 advance.
And since there’s no writing without reading, have your kids check out the Children’s Choice Book Awards now to cast their votes on their favorite books written just for them. Voting ends Feb. 1, so get out there now.
Image: woodleywonderworks, flickr
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