Letters about literature contest

The Illinois Center for the Book is sponsoring a Letters About Literature in Illinois contest, which is a statewide reading and writing competition.

​This contest is a chance to polish up your writing skills and write a letter to an author—living or dead—explaining how his or her work changed your life or view of the world.

How To Enter In Five Easy Steps

READ. Select a fiction or nonfiction book that you have read and about which you have strong feelings. It might be a book that helped you through a difficult time or it might be a book that simply touched your heart or inspired you.

REFLECT. Think before you write. How did this author’s book change you or your view of the world? How do you know it did? How and why are you different now than you were before you read this book?

WRITE. Your entry should be written in letter format. It should include a date, greeting, body, closing, and your name or signature. Need inspiration? Sample letters can be found here.                                

REGISTER. Register for the contest here. 

​SUBMISSION.  Email your letter to Mrs. Mason ([email protected]) by December 14. She will enter you into a raffle for a chance to win a $15 Lovin Oven Cakery or a $15 Something Sweet gift card. She will also submit your entry to the Illinois Center for the Book for a chance to win a $200 cash award. 

​If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Mason.