It’s that magical time of year when you can put out of your mind all those editors who don’t take unsolicited submissions and all those agents who only take referrals or who haven’t gotten back to you, and get your YA manuscript in the best shape possible to send off to the Delacorte Prize for a First YA Novel. There is no entry fee. There is a contract. There is an advance and prize money. There’s a finite time frame (even though they are always a little late announcing the winner…at least you don’t have to wait forever and then still not know). Past winners who have gone on to have careers include A.M. Jenkins, Joan Bauer, and Lara Zeises. You’ve got from October to the end of the year to enter. Best of luck! (Contests aren’t for everyone, and I know those authors would have likely found success anyway, but maybe this is a good way for you to throw your hat in the ring. And it’s always good to have a deadline!)

Are you sitting? I finally purchased a dental discount plan and made an appointment with a dentist today. Now. I haven’t been to the dentist in, ohhhh, 7 or 8 years? I have a giant phobia about this. I figured it would be eons before there was an available appointment and I wouldn’t have to give it much thought for another 6-8 weeks. But no, they had an appointment open on Wednesday. As in the day after tomorrow. Mommy.

Tomorrow we shall ponder banned books, intellectual freedom, and Mark Haddon. Until then, be good!