Three-time Newbery honoree Gary Paulsen passed away last October. In honor of his legacy — and to celebrate his posthumous final novel Northwind — Macmillan Children's Publishing Group is sponsoring a writing contest for young storytellers.

Children ages 10–14 are able to submit a short story inspired by Northwind for a chance to have their winning entry published *here on this very Horn Book blog* (!), along with receiving a gift card, admission to a writing workshop, a Northwind writing journal, and a class set to share with their school. The contest will be judged by Gary’s son, Jim Paulsen; his longtime agent Jennifer Flannery; and Wesley Adams, Gary’s editor at Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers.

Entries will be accepted from February 4, 2022–April 4, 2022. For complete details, including rules, the writing prompt, and the submission form, visit here.

We can't wait to read and share the winning entry with the Horn Book's readers!