Children's Writing Slam

Do you write for children?
Are you unpublished?
Can you get to Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire on Tuesday October 21st at 7pm?

To coincide with the Children's Book Month the Pavilion Theatre is hosting the second Children's Fiction SLAM. Hosted by Aislinn O’Loughlin, children’s author and comedienne, the event will be an opportunity for unpublished children's authors to read a short extract from a work of theirs in front of an audience of their peers, their friends and two invited judges from the Irish publishing world. This year’s judges are novelist and children’s books reviewer Sarah Webb, and award-winning fantasy author for young people Conor Kostick makes a welcome return to the SLAM. No cash prizes, no three book deals to be won, just the respect of your friends and peers, and maybe a modest award.

Writers who wish to enter the SLAM should email flipflop@paviliontheatre.ie with their name, the age range they are writing for, and a brief synopsis of the work from which the extract has been taken. Anyone can enter as long as you have never been published. Audience members are encouraged to attend and lend their support –even if you are not reading you may be witnessing tomorrow’s premier children’s authors on their maiden voyage! Entries are accepted on a first-come first served basis until Friday October 17th. Authors who want to enter on the night cannot be guaranteed availability as places will be strictly limited by time.

Thanks to David Maybury's blog for this.

It sounds fun and worthy but I'm not sure if it will progress anyone's career. Did anyone go last year? Who won?