Congrats again, winners! And many, many thanks to our donors. Also, thanks to all the voters. We couldn't have a contest without you! 
Ruth got my top vote, too. The picture book is delightful and she clearly knows what she's doing. She presented it exactly as you would a PB submission to an agent or an editor. In case anyone reading this thread is new to children's books (and particularly picture books), we'll have a quick educational moment: unless you're a professional artist/illustrator, you don't submit the pictures with your manuscript. You provide illustration notes only when it's absolutely necessary to add clarity to the writing. The publisher will choose the illustrator and the illustrator will have as much freedom as the writer (the illustrator has complete control over the visual aspects of the story; the writer gets everything else. Picture books are a collaborative effort between the writer and the illustrator).
All of the contest's winning entries were well-written, of course. I think Jed and sissy should both work on expanding their entries into full-length books!
Of the non-winners, I felt The Bone Code Club and Hooked were both well-written and had appropriate MG-voice and could definitely be expanded into successful novels. Jaq and the Wormhole and Proof that Big Pieces are really nothing special were wonderfully creative -- and well-written.
Several others were very good, as well, but the stories above stood out most to me.
Great job everyone!
Ruth got my top vote, too. The picture book is delightful and she clearly knows what she's doing. She presented it exactly as you would a PB submission to an agent or an editor. In case anyone reading this thread is new to children's books (and particularly picture books), we'll have a quick educational moment: unless you're a professional artist/illustrator, you don't submit the pictures with your manuscript. You provide illustration notes only when it's absolutely necessary to add clarity to the writing. The publisher will choose the illustrator and the illustrator will have as much freedom as the writer (the illustrator has complete control over the visual aspects of the story; the writer gets everything else. Picture books are a collaborative effort between the writer and the illustrator).
All of the contest's winning entries were well-written, of course. I think Jed and sissy should both work on expanding their entries into full-length books!
Of the non-winners, I felt The Bone Code Club and Hooked were both well-written and had appropriate MG-voice and could definitely be expanded into successful novels. Jaq and the Wormhole and Proof that Big Pieces are really nothing special were wonderfully creative -- and well-written.
Several others were very good, as well, but the stories above stood out most to me.
Great job everyone!
