Question 1

How much does it cost to particpate in the program?

Accepted Answer

Kids Write Now! is free to all particpants.

Question 2

Do I win prizes just for singing up?

Accepted Answer

Yes! All partipants will reveive a small prize (fun-size candy) for signing up. Young authors receive increasingly exciting prizes as they progress in word count. Please reference the "program" page for more information about specific prizes.

Question 3

Do I have to participate in all the events in order to be part of the program? What if I'm busy and I can't make an event?

Accepted Answer

The events held at the Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch of the library are entirely optional to partipants. We hold these events to help foster a community of storytellers at the library, and while we highly recommend attending (they're super fun!), young authors don't need to attend all (or any) of the events in order to partcipate in the program.

Question 4

What do you mean by "contest?" Is my writing going to be judged on merit?"

Accepted Answer

No. Writing isn't judged on merit and young authors' works are never compared against each other. Instead, winners are determined based on word count only. Please see the "program" page for more information about how prizes are distributed.

Question 5

What if I'm too nervous to share my writing with other people? Can I still participate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely! In fact, we designed this program specifically to create a system through which young writers are encouraged to write outside of school without all of the added pressures of external judgement and competition. This program is intended to help support tweens who are still finding their voices or are afraid of sharing their work. And don't worry -- nobody will read anything you've written unless you've decided to share your work with them.

Question 6

The Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch isn't my branch of the San Francisco Public Library. Can I still participate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely! Even if the Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch isn't your local branch, we would still absolutely love to include you in our program. Although Kids Write Now! runs through the Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch, we are open to all young authors ages 10-14 who live in the Bay Area. Please note, however, that participants must collect all incentive prizes from the Richmond Branch Library.

Question 7

I'm a teacher and I want to have my students participate in this program. Is there an option for me to register my class?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We are beyond excited to work with educators who want to inspire their students to write creatively. We have a special system set up -- please find more details under the "Register: For Educators" tab.

Question 8

I'm an older teen and I want to volunteer with this program. Are there opportunities avaliable to me?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Please contact me via email at kaya.dierks@gmail.com, and we can discuss whether we can coordinate with your schedule.

Question 9

I have another question that wasn't answered here. Is there somebody I can reach out to?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Please contact me at kaya.dierks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. I'll be sure to reach back out as soon as I can.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions