Share Your Rapunzel Love...

If you are at all exposed to any media right now, you are aware that Disney's Tangled will be released stateside next Wednesday. I've missed out on sneak peak opportunities but I will see it next weekend for I am fielding questions left and right about the fairy tale and need to see the movie to know what is going on.  Besides, it looks like it just might be fun.  That's been the consensus so far from those who have seen it, even those who don't want to like it admit they were entertained even if it was tempered with uneasiness.  And as for me, well, I am always thrilled with anything that brings fairy tales to a higher public awareness for a time.  It means more people are discussing one of my favorite topics, after all.

So next week will be another theme week here, with a holiday (Thanksgiving) right smack dab in the middle of it for those of us in the U.S. 

All week, I will offer various Rapunzel tidbits and other stuff.  I want your help though.  I have three copies of Rapunzel and Other Maiden in the Tower Tales From Around the World to give away.  I am asking you to share your Rapunzel love (or hate if you must) with us.  Write a few paragraphs about why this fairy tale is special to you or even why you don't care for it.  I will share some of them on the blog and will randomly select three people from the submissions to receive a copy of my book. 

Yes, you can post here, but I will only count email submissions for I want to share your words in a post, not have them buried in a comment.  Put "Rapunzel Love and Hate" in the subject line and send it along to me at heidi at surlalunefairytales dot com.  I'm not picky about word count but I would ask for a minimum of 50 words. 

Once Upon a Time Writing Competition

Via The Fairy Tale Cupboard and for UKers only--the rest of us just get to hope the winners will be posted online for our enjoyment:

The Chapel Gallery in Ormskirk, Lancashire are looking for modern fairy tales and winter poems. Here are all the details you'll need to enter:

Two writing options and two age categories per option:

Short Story: A Modern Fairytale. Maximum words: 2000. Submission fee: £5.00. Junior Category entries free.

Poem: A Winter Poem. Maximum lines: 45. Submission fee: £5.00. Junior Category entries free.

Adult Category: Over 16. Junior Category: Under 16.

How to enter:
This competition is open to all UK based writers.
* Work submitted must be original and in English.
* Work submitted must be typed in Microsoft Word using Times New Roman font, size 12pt and double-spaced.
* Work should be stapled, bound or held together in a file. Loose sheets cannot be accepted.
* Include your name, age category, address, phone number and email on a cover page attached to the submission.
* Work must be submitted by post AND email to the Creative Writing Competition, Chapel Gallery (address below) AND via email to chapel.gallery@westlancs.gov.uk by Saturday 8 January 2011.

FREE workshops Places are limited. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Short Story Writing: Skelmersdale Library, Southway, Skelmersdale WN8 6NL. Saturday 27th November, 1.30 to 3.30pm.
Poetry Writing: Ormskirk Library, Burscough Street, Ormskirk L39 2EN. Saturday 4th December, 1.30 to 3.30pm.
Book through Chapel Gallery with £5.00 deposit to be returned at workshop on attendance.

Selection process:
The work will be judged by Professor Robert Sheppard, Professor of Poetry and Poetics and Programme Leader for the MA in Creative Writing at Edge Hill University with Ruth Heritage, Director, They Eat Culture / Lancashire Writing Hub and Helen Juste, Arts Development Manager, West Lancashire Borough Council. Works shortlisted will be displayed at the Chapel Gallery plus participating cafés and libraries.

Prizes:
A Modern Fairytale, Adult Category: £250 A Modern Fairytale, Junior Category: Story to be illustrated
A Winter Poem, Adult Category: £250 A Winter Poem, Junior Category: Poem to be illustrated

All prizewinning works will be published on the Chapel Gallery website and the websites of partners involved in the project. There will be a presentation event where prizes and certificates will be awarded and winners will have the opportunity to have their story or poem read aloud. Successful applicants will be contacted regarding the presentation date.

Writing Contest for Teens Only: Cinderella Theme

Diamonds and Toads with Enchanted Conversation is sponsoring a writing contest for teens.  Here's part of the description:

When submitting your work for this Diamonds and Toads Writing Contest try to share a new way to look at “Cinderella,” maybe from the view point of the glass slipper or a poem from one of the evil stepsisters. Don’t feel that you have to stick with the traditional setting -- your Cinderella can be from any place and time and of any background and family. Explore all ways to express your ideas: poems and stories both are welcomed. Ten entries will be chosen as winners – any combination of stories and poems. The 10 winners will each receive $25 Amazon gift certificates.

The deadline for the contest is August 15, 2010 and you can read more about it here.

Good luck to all the entrants!

(Sorry I posted this a little late--it was in my drafts and I though it had published already!)