Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

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Fan Fiction Contest

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One of the characters in my latest book – If the Boot Fits – is a young boy with a vivid imagination. Fergus Ellis is the hero’s youngest brother, and he never goes anywhere without his pencil and tablet. He names the animals around the house and dreams up adventures for them that he jots down in his tablet. He has dubbed the family milk cow Mrs. Merriweather and has set her up as banyard maven. Throughout the novel different people (especially ther hero and heroine) introduce new animal characters into his story world and help him come up with adventures for them to experience.

I had so much fun with Fergus in this story, and readers have clamored for a bonus story about Mrs. Merriweather and her barnyard friends as written by Fergus. I love the idea, but I just don’t have the time to write one myself. So why not turn it into a contest?

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Several years ago, I ran a fan fiction contest asking readers to write a romantic epilogue pairing Chloe and Duncan from To Win Her Heart. I received some fabulous entries, and the winning epilogue has been posted on my website as bonus material for the last twelve years. You can read it here: http://karenwitemeyer.com/epilogue-twhh.html

I decided to try that again with a Fergus story. If you have read If the Boot Fits and if you enjoy writing, I’d love to invite you to submit an entry. Fergus is a bright ten-year-old boy, so we will be looking for a children’s story. Here are the official details:

RULES

  1. Write a children’s story about Mrs. Merriweather as if you were Fergus Ellis. (Bonus if you incorporate details Fergus was already considering in If the Boot Fits.)
  2. There are no word count parameters, but children’s stories are typically short, so I’d expect something between 1,000 – 2,000 words. If you go a little shorter or longer, that’s fine.
  3. DEADLINE: May 18, 2024
  4. Send your story to me as a Word doc attachment to this email address – karen@karenwitemeyer.com

PRIZES

  1. The winner’s story will be published on my website.
  2. The winner will receive two autographed books of their choice from titles I have in stock. (If the winner is international, we will come up with an alternative prize.)

I can’t wait to read these stories!

Once I have chosen the winning story, I will run an illustration contest as well so that we can add 2-3 images to the text. The illustrator who wins will receive the same prizes. This is going to be so fun!

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What were some of your favorite children’s stories that featured animal characters?

I used to love the Frog and Toad books, and all the Richard Scarry books with pigs and hippos, and worms all living in Busytown together.

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Karen Witemeyer

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
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Comments

  1. Ah, yes, the Busy World of Richard Scary is a gem! My children loved those books. When the characters were featured as Happy Meals toys, we went all over town trying to collect Huckle and Lowly worm and their friends.
    Another favorite of ours was Spot the little yellow dog. I could “read” those cute little books in my sleep.

  2. That’s such a fun idea, Karen! If I weren’t trying to finish a manuscript this month I’d give it a go. As for a favorite children’s story featuring animals, Charlotte’s Web wins my vote.

  3. This is so fun, Karen! What a lovely idea. I’m sure you’ll have a great time reading all the entries.

  4. What a great idea. Have fun reading the entries, and I look forward to getting to read the winner. I loved IF THE BOOT FITS so will enjoy this brief return.

  5. Love it! And I look forward to reading the winner! So many good children’s stories that are animal characters–Charlotte’s Web and The Wind in the Willows come immediately to mind!

  6. My all-time favorite children’s book that features animals is Mike McClintock’s book, A Fly Went By. So cute & funny & full of adventure! It’s also extra-special to me because my Daddie read it to me with such expression… so many times that we almost had it memorized! That’s just one of the many happy memories I have of my Daddie. 😀

  8. Children’s books are wonderful! I always think of that C.S. Lewis quote- “No book is really worth reading at age ten which is not equally-and often far more-worth reading at the age of fifty & beyond.”
    Some of my favorites featuring animals are- “Stuart Little”, “The Trumpet of the Swan” & Charlotte’s Web all written by E.B. White
    Also, I loved Beatrix Potter books & the fact that she did her own illustrations.
    Can’t wait to see who wins the short story contest! Good luck to all & have fun reading them! ☺️📚💚

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