Young Authors contest is coming

 

Dave Barlow

Are you a young writer who thinks you've written the next bestseller novel? There's a new St. Louis company that's planning to give you a chance to become a published author.

Dave Barlow's primary occupation is as a medic for ambulance districts in the St. Louis area. But, several years ago, he was a first-time author who had trouble finding a publisher for his sci-fi novel.

So, he started his own publishing company, Emerald Falcon Press. That enabled him to self-published his first book, "The Nexus Rife."

Kim Dorlac

But, he and his business partner, teacher Kim Dorlac, want to help young authors get their first-time efforts published. Kim is a lifelong friend and is special education teacher in Florissant.

Together, they are launching a Young Author Program. That will include a twice-a-year writing contest. Winners in the two age divisions will compete for an opportunity to have their book-length efforts published.

There will be two age categories. One is for writers 12 and younger and the other for writers 13 through 17.

Although the rules for the Young Author competition haven't been completed, Emerald Falcon Press has published two books by kids.

One is by 17-year-old Belen Ramos of El Centro, Calif. The fantasy book is titled, "The Way to Fairyleland."

The other is by 12-year-old Dawn McDonald of East Providence, R.I. The book is titled, "Beyond Darkness."

Dawn's book is also a fantasy. But, it has been expanded so it can be used in language arts classes. Each chapter becomes a lesson that urges other kids to suggest changes that might make the book better.

Barlow said the manuscripts for the first two Young Author winners came in before complete contest rules were set. The two manuscripts were sent because he had listed Emerald Falcon Press in national listings of independent book publishers.

"I don't even know how many other publishers the kids sent their manuscripts to," he said. "We got these by accident," Barlow added.

He said the first time he saw Belen's manuscript "we knew it would be a winner."

He said the Young Authors competition "will be a better way for us to encourage young writers."

Barlow expects to have a formal announcement of the Young Authors program in the St. Louis area during the 2005-06 school year.

But, he said young authors who have a complete manuscript ready can send them now.

For more information about Emerald Falcon Press, you can write to Barlow and Dorlac at 7366 Hazelcrest, Hazelwood, Mo. 63042 or call (314) 623-6639. Or you can visit the company's website at www.emeraldfalconpress.com.

Barlow also has an online book store at www.thewonderingsage.com.

Belen Ramos's novel, "The Way to Fairyleland," tells the story of Lily's trip to a land of warlocks, dragons, queens and witches of ice. The story is written to be one in a series as it ends with the phrase, "to be continued."

Dawn MacDonald's manuscript also came in before the Young Author competition was announced. She also included illustrations which were used for the cover as well as inside the book.

The plot for "Beyond Darkness" also involves fantasy. It tells the adventures of a young Fairy venturing into the world for the first time.

But, in publishing this book, Barlow and Dorlac saw the potential for making this a yearlong exercise for language arts students. Each chapter includes tips that allow teachers to work with students on editing, word usage and sentence structure.

Dawn's book was published in 2005.

She also will get some experience in marketing her book. Barlow is arranging for Dawn to do a formal book-signing in her hometown of East Providence.

All future Young Author winners will get a formal publishing contract and exposure to the sales and marketing side of publishing. Barlow said.

"We want young people to read, write, edit and learn what it takes to be involved in the literary field," he said.