Otter Creek Press Announces Book Reader's Writing Challenge

Posted on October 2, 1998

Otter Creek Press, a publisher of books for children and young adults,announced its Book Reader's Writing Challenge in conjunction with the promotion of The Magic Bicycle, California Ghosting, The Vampire Hunters, Chasing Time, and Wizard Sword by Lake Tahoe author William (Bill) Hill. Books and cash awards totaling $35,000.00 will be awarded during the next eighteen months in a series of five contests.

The series of "Book Reader's Writing Challenges" begin November 1, 1998, with The Magic Bicycle Challenge. Entries in The Magic Bicycle Challenge must be submitted or post marked by 12:00 AM EST January 31, 1999. Eligible entries of no more than 750 words may be critiques, essays, reviews and short stories based on the plot of The Magic Bicycle.

The Doctors Inlet publisher will award $3,000.00, $1,500.00 and $500.00 respectively for the best entries in the contest. One hundred books autographed by William Hill will be awarded to the top 100 entries. The participating library of the winner's choice will be granted $1,000.00 in support of reading programs. No entry fee or purchase will be required to participate in The Reader's Writing Challenge.

To qualify as a participating library copies the title book of each contest should be made available to library patrons. Public and school libraries may further participate in promoting this event by securing copies of the titles for fund raising purposes. Three dollars ($3.00) will be donated for each title purchased through libraries during the contest.

Name, address, telephone number, fax, e-mail address (if available), age and library nomination should be included on each entry. Personal information pertaining to contestants will not be available to the public but a list of winning entries may be obtained from the publisher after March 15, 1999. One entry per individual will be eligible to be judged.

In the first challenge, Otter Creek Press would like to know what readers think and what they might have done in Danny's situation. Would readers have visited other historical figures, and if so, who, why and what might they have discussed? What future adventures would be of interest? Comments are welcomed about the House of Blue Lights; how Danny should have dealt with his problems; his Dad's attitude; what should school officials have done about the Headbangers and would the reader have stopped to help Jason?

Information may be obtained at and entries submitted to Otter Creek Press, The Fiction Forest or mailed to:
Otter Creek Press
Attn: Reader's Writing Challenge
3154 Nautilus Road
Middleburg, Florida 32068