For Immediate Release…
Contact: Victor Volkman
(734) 417-4266
president@uppaa.org
www.uppaa.org
8th Annual Dandelion Cottage Story Contest Now Open for Teachers to Submit Student Stories
Dear Sylvia Hubbard
The Dandelion Cottage Short Story Contest, organized by the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA), is now open for teachers to submit short stories by students in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Now in its 8th iteration, the contest has no limit to the number of students that a given educator can sponsor for the contest. In earlier years, there was a limit of two short stories per grade segment.
The upcoming contest deadline is January 31, 2025. Per the rules, submissions are accepted in two categories: 5th - 8th grade and 9th - 12th grades. Starting this year, stories entered are now limited to no more than 4,000 words in length. The top prize is $250 cash for first place senior division winner and $150 cash for junior division winner. As always, there are no entry fees for student writers. Complete information on how to submit can be found on https://www.dandelioncottage.org/.
Two of last year's Dandelion Cottage Short Story Winners -
Junior Division Eve Noble (1st Place) and Analise Verberkmoes (3rd Place) The Dandelion Cottage Story Contest allows young authors to participate in a literary event specifically organized for nourishing their creative writing talent. The top three prizewinning entries from high school writers and 5th through 8th grade groups will appear in volume #9 of the U.P. Reader, an anthology of short stories and poetry from members of the UPPAA. Their stories will also be recorded in audiobook form by Brandy Thomas (Marquette). Additionally, when released in April 2025, copies of U.P. Reader will be donated to any interested rural libraries across the Superiorland library district. Winners and their families are invited to a special award ceremony to be held at the UPPAA Spring Conference on May 17, 2025.
Victor R. Volkman, president of the UPPAA, tells us more about the event.
How long has this contest been running?
Victor: This year marks the 8th anniversary of the contest and we have been thrilled to see more schools across the U.P. submitting entries each year. Really, the Dandelion Cottage has given a new purpose to the UPPAA that was missing before – a way to nurture the next generation of great U.P. writers. For example, the turnout for the first-ever Young Writers Storytelling Conference in May 2024 was beyond our expectations. We enrolled 25 students from all over the U.P. and we look forward to announcing details for the next one taking place on May 17, 2025
There's a lot of students in the U.P who like to write stories, how can a contestant get an edge in this competition?
Victor: We encourage like-minded students to form critique circles or writers clubs in their schools where they can exchange stories and ideas for improving each other's work. All student entrants must submit the work jointly with a teacher or other school representative, so we suggest that interested writers begin working with instructors as soon as possible to allow for several rounds of revisions before submission. Do not wait until the very last day to submit your work as contest deadlines are NOT extended for school snow days. There are no points awarded for the length of a story--a story should be only as many words as required to tell a compelling tale.
What is the significance of such an event for young authors or students in the eligible districts?
Victor: The contest offers young writers real recognition and validation for their talents. Working with their teachers, they will discover new ways to improve upon their work. For the winners, a cash prize is nice but they will also receive a commemorative medallion, a hardcover edition of the book featuring their work, and possibly recognition in a school-wide award ceremony (depending on the school). A special traveling trophy will be engraved with the 1st place winners' names and the trophy will be showcased in their school for the next academic year.
Do the stories have to relate to Michigan's Upper Peninsula in theme or setting etc?
Victor: This contest has no limits for young writers in terms of subject matter or setting. Over the past seven years, we have had winning stories in many genres including science fiction, fantasy, horror, historical fiction, and contemporary fiction. Writing has always been a great outlet for feelings or experiences that may not be easy or possible to safely express in any other way. Interested parents can visit https://www.dandelioncottage.org/ to learn more about the Dandelion Cottage Short Story Contest.
About the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA)
Established in 1998 to support authors and publishers who live in or write about Michigan's Upper Peninsula, UPPAA is a Michigan nonprofit association with more than 100 members, many of whose books are featured on the organization's website www.uppaa.org. The UPPAA welcomes membership and participation from anyone with a U.P. connection who is interested in writing and publishing books. # # #
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