Cash prize of P25,000 and chance to be interviewed by US literary agency for winning piece.

Nonprofit organization Canvas, which dedicates itself to promoting greater awareness for Philippine art, culture, and environment, has partnered with US-based Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency to launch the Canvas Story Writing for Young Children Competition.

The top five entries will be reviewed by Sandra Dijkstra literary agent Kelly Sonnack, who has previously worked with authors and illustrators in Singapore and brought their work to international attention. Sonnack has found success with Jin Pyn Lee’s The Elephant and the Tree, which will be published by Running Press in spring 2009.

Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency represents more than 250 authors around the world and has developed a reputation for discovering new talent and representing quality work with great commercial potential. The agency’s clients include Amy Tan, Lisa See, Kate White, Chitra Divakaruni, Mike Davis, Diane Mott Davidson, Janell Cannon, Anchee Min, Gary Small, Maxine Hong Kingston, Lillian Faderman, Kevin Starr, Chalmers Johnson, Peter Irons, and Irvin Yalom.

While there is no guarantee of anything beyond the agency’s look and review, this opportunity is a good chance for Pinoy writers, as it is difficult to get one’s stories considered for representation, much less publication, in the US.

The contest is open to all Filipinos. Entries must be in English and must not have been previously published. Word count should not exceed 1,200 words. Stories should feature a strong central character who faces and overcomes a challenge or obstacle and speak about a universal experience even while reflecting Philippine culture. They should also target readers between four and six years old. The winning entry will get P25,000 in cash.

Send entries to storycontest@canvas.ph before 5 p.m., July 31, 2008. For contest rules, read this post from the Canvas blog.