Recently, Book Wish Foundation reached out to make me aware of a writing contest that I think some of you may be interested in. Or perhaps someone you know might be looking for just this type of scenario.  From their press release:

“Win a literary agent or acclaimed author’s feedback on your unpublished manuscript for young adult or middle grade readers.  This rare opportunity is
being offered to the six winners of an essay contest recently announced by the literacy charity Book Wish Foundation.  See http://bookwish.org/contest for full
details.

You could win a manuscript critique from:

Laura Langlie, literary agent for Meg Cabot
Nancy Gallt, literary agent for Jeanne DuPrau
Brenda Bowen, literary agent and editor of Karen Hesse’s Newbery Medal winner Out of the Dust
Ann M. Martin, winner of the Newbery Honor for A Corner of the Universe
Francisco X. Stork, winner of the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award for The Last Summer of the Death Warriors
Cynthia Voigt, winner of the Newbery Medal for Dicey’s Song and the Newbery Honor for A Solitary Blue

All that separates you from this prize is a 500-word essay about a short story in Book Wish Foundation’s new anthology, What You Wish For.  Essays are due Feb.
1, 2012 and winners will be announced around Mar. 1, 2012.  If you win, you will  have six months to submit the first 50 pages of your manuscript for critique
(which means you can enter the contest even if you haven’t finished, or started, your manuscript).  You can even enter multiple times, with essays about more
than one of the contest stories, for a chance to win up to six critiques.

If you dream of being a published author, this is an opportunity you should not miss.  To enter, follow the instructions at http://bookwish.org/contest.”

What do you think?  Wanna get on the publishing industry’s radar?  If you do give this a go, it sounds like a good way to get the word out on your work.