The Society of Children's Books Writer's and Illustrator's Antelope Valley Schmooze group is accepting submissions for an anthology of children's stories. The stories must be about problems children face. The problems can be situational, such as children of divorced parents, children who have a parent in the military, homeless children, etc., or physical problems such as children with asthma, obesity problems,children with autism, etc.

Each story must mention the problem and how reactions by others to the problem affect the child. Other story components could tell the writer's personal experiences of dealing with a particular problem from the writer's perspective or as a relative, teacher or friend of the child

Medical/psychological suggestions for cures must not be given unless the writer is a professional in the field of medicine or psychology. True-life experiences of writers are welcome.

Stories will be for children ages 8-12. Word length for each story is 2,500. The deadline for entries is Oct. 31, 2006. All entrants must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Writers of winning stories will be notified by December 2006. Winning writers will receive a copy of the anthology.

Please send entries to:

Children's Writer's Anthology
P.O. Box 1563
Lancaster, CA 93539

Contact: Marilyn Dalrymple at Marilyn160@verizon.net