BP Markowitz announces ‘Brooklyn Lit Match’ teen writing contest

May 18, 2013 From Brooklyn Borough President's Office

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Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz invites Brooklyn high school students to make submissions in the form of a story, a poem, an essay, spoken word or rap for the 8th annual “Brooklyn Lit Match” teen writing contest, a competition held in conjunction with the Brooklyn Book Festival. The winning submissions will be published in a collection and the first place winner will receive a laptop computer. All students who are Brooklyn residents or attend high school in Brooklyn are welcome to submit.

The theme of this year’s contest is Brooklyn LOL. Students are asked to write on the following:

Brooklyn has more character and characters than anywhere else, and humor is all around us. The borough has inspired countless comedians and artists, and nobody knows the borough’s funny bone better than those who live here. So, we’re asking you: “what’s so funny about Brooklyn?” In a poem, rap, short story, or comic skit describe a classic “only in Brooklyn” moment that inspires you to LOL—or even simply smile. It could be on the subway, at school, a basketball game, or on your stoop, with fictional characters or straight from your own life. Let’s hear your best feel good, laugh out loud story about Brooklyn.

A committee of publishers, editors and literary agents will select 10 finalists, including a first place winner. The 10 finalists will be invited to read their work at the Brooklyn Book Festival on September 22, 2013. Their work will be professionally edited and published in an anthology to be released by Akashic Books. Past winners have included students from Fort Hamilton High School, Boys and Girls High School, and Benjamin Banneker Academy, among others.

Entries are due by Wednesday, June 26, 2013, can be typed or handwritten and should not exceed 2,000 words. They can be written in any form: a story, poem, essay, or rap. Please include a cover sheet with your name, age, address, telephone number, school and principal. There is no fee to enter and you must be either a resident of Brooklyn or student at a Brooklyn high school at the time of submission.

Entries should be sent to Brooklyn Book Festival Lit Match, Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 or e-mailed to [email protected]. Any questions regarding the writing competition can be e-mailed to the same address or directed to Liz Koch, 718-802-3852.