Gulfport's First Annual Youth Book Writing Contest Schedule!

October 6th, Saturday 1 to 3pm, Gulfport Public Library

Opening Ceremonies, Review of the contest and submission Guidelines.
Question and answer time.
Food and beverages provided by local restaurants.

October 13, Saturday 1 to 3pm, Gulfport Public Library
Writers: Tips from the pros on how to write a story.
Pros discuss tips for writing success.
Food and beverages provided by local restaurants.

October 20, Saturday 1 to 3pm, Gulfport Public Library
Editors: Tips from the pros on how to edit your work.
The writer-editor relationship.
Food and beverages provided by local restaurants.

October 27, Saturday 1 to 3pm, Gulfport Public Library
Illustrators: Tips from the pros on how to illustrate your work.
Pros discuss the process of illustrating a book.
Digital art in Publishing basics.
Food and beverages provided by local restaurants.

November 3, Saturday 1 to 3pm, Gulfport Public Library
Publishers and Printers: What’s involved when a book gets published.
Printing’s changing role in the new world of Indi Publishers, Print on Demand, and ePub.
What is Publishing and what is Printing? The flow of book production.
The offset press and the digital press.
Food and beverages provided by local restaurants.

November 10, Saturday 1 to 3pm, Gulfport Public Library
Submission Deadline Party! “Mingle with the Pros” A chance to mingle with the guest workshop speakers and show them your work.
Food and beverages provided by local restaurants.

November 11, Sunday, The Judges Convene
The Judges’ Panel Convenes!
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!! We are very proud of all of you!!!!
Food and beverages provided by local restaurants.

November 17, Saturday 4 - 6 pm, Awards Ceremony, Gulfport Public Library
Presentation of awards. Guest Speakers.
Beverages provided by local restaurants.

Special Thanks, thus far, to all of you who have donated time, services, and money to the event! What a great villge our kids have! We are going to get these libraries for them.

Neptune, Stellas, O'Maddy's, Tangelo's, Cousins, Smokin' J's, Salty Sal's, Pia's, Botiki, Regions Bank, The Patch, Denise, Dia, Lil G., Lori and Lori R. and the magnificent Chamber ensamble, The Merchants', Maddy, Sissy who did a great job handing out flyers, Rene, Anthony, Brian, Vionette, and David M - to all of you, a huge debt of gratitude! Please forgive me if I've left anyone out, it was not intentional and I'll make it up to you by mentioning you twice next time around.

:)

The goal is still well out of reach, yet, so please, continue to spread the word, encourage youth participation, raise and/or donate funds, and provide services and talents.

Those who wish to donate to the fund can call me or just walk into Regions bank and tell them you wish to contribute to the "In Our Own Words" Event Account. All Monies will go towards the contest and the purchase of two emergent reader libraries of 300 books each, one for our Gulfport Elementary School and one for our Gulfport Public Library.

Stay Tuned for more news!