CARRIE KARNES-FANNIN
  • about
  • contact form
  • making art
    • digital
    • cut paper
    • line work
    • photography
  • the end pages

50 Precious Words - 2022 Contest

3/6/2022

2 Comments

 
It's that time of year! Buds are blooming, the bees are starting to buzz, and Vivian Kirkfield is once again making magic with her "50 Precious Words" kidlit writing contest.

You might say, "Write a complete story in 50 words? It can't be done!" But then picture book writers work their word spells and make it happen--every year.

There are some spectacular ones that I fully expect we'll see fleshed out as real books someday. It's so cool to see the seed that will someday grow into a book.

My entry THE NO SMILE DAY is below and you can read the rest HERE. 


Picture
Picture
2 Comments

A STAMP FOR SUSANNA

2/12/2022

2 Comments

 
Picture
TEACHERS AND PARENTS: This is neat!

My friend Karen Greenwald wrote a book about an important-but-forgotten historic woman, Susanna Salter, the first woman elected mayor in the USA. It was a vote that reverberated around the world!

Now, Karen has created a letter writing campaign to the USPS to get A STAMP FOR SUSANNA, giving her some of the recognition she deserves. PLUS, teachers can win a virtual school visit from an author.
​
Very cool project to do with kids--check out more on how you can help PUT HER STAMP ON HISTORY here.
Karen inspired me to write a letter as well. Here is a copy: 

Stamp Development
Attn: Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300
Washington, DC 20260-3501


 Feb 12, 2022

 Re: Commemorative Stamp
       Susanna Salter


 To Whom It May Concern:

As the first woman elected mayor in the USA, Susanna Salter put an essential stamp on history. Her election in 1887 opened a door for the women who would come afterward to also serve in public office. 

Thousands of people worldwide heard about the election and wrote while she was in office. Mayor Salter only made a $1.00 salary for her service, yet she wrote back, paying for all the paper and stamps out of her own pocket! 

But today, few have heard of Susanna Salter. Without knowing our past, it is hard to reach our fullest potential for the future. It would be a fantastic and appropriate way for more people to learn about Mayor Salter if the United States Postal Service honored her with a commemorative stamp. 

Therefore, I respectfully request that you consider Susanna Salter for an upcoming design. 

Sincerely,

Carrie Karnes-Fannin
​www.carriekarnesfannin.com 



2 Comments

THE NIGHT THE STARS FELL

1/31/2022

4 Comments

 
I'm super excited to participate in the 1st Annual Kids' Choice Kidlit Writing Contest, organized an hosted by the awesome author Kailei Pew.

Details and rules for the contest can be found here. 

​The short version is that we have 200 words to create a PB, MG, or YA (picture book, middle grade, or young adult) story that will hook a kid judge's attention. THAT'S RIGHT--this contest will be decided by our actual readers---KIDS! 
Picture
Picture

My piece is MG historical fiction, sparked by an unusual event which occurred in the early 1800s, and comes in at 200 words on the dot.

​Hope you enjoy reading! Leave a comment to let me know what you think. And remember to check out all the other entries on Kailei's blog (linked above). 
​


THE NIGHT THE STARS FELL
by Carrie S. Fannin

On the night the stars fell, a girl was born.  
 
Fearing the world's end, people dropped to their knees under fire-streaked skies and prayed. The baby cried bitterly, but the mother who would've comforted her was gone. The girl was handed to a wet nurse, and no one thought to name her.  
 
The world kept turning. Soon people stood, putting the stars in their pockets. 
 
After three days, an exhausted preacher came to the cabin. The family's dusty Bible crackled as he pried it open. "What is she called?"  
 
No answer.  
 
"Did Mary ever mention..." A pause. "What about Mary? It's a fine—."
 
The father shrugged and swigged his moonshine.
 
"Esther."
 
The preacher turned to the woman who nursed the child alongside her own. Though born the same night, there wasn't a place for the wet nurse's daughter in any holy book. The plantation master would add her alongside her mother to his accounts.  
 
"Esther," the woman whispered again.
 
It's a good name, the preacher mused. But he wasn't comfortable with a slave choosing, even for only an overseer's half-orphan. But it sparked an idea. 
 
He dipped his pen.  
 
"Astra," the preacher wrote in his steady hand. "November 9, 1833."
 



4 Comments

Just get it written

1/15/2022

0 Comments

 
Daily Doodle: an ode to James Thurber 

Thurber was on to something here. He wasn't precious with his drawings or his writing. Didn't go for big "daily word counts" either. 

BUT, it the end, Thurber's work was "right" and has stood the test of time.

Just do the work...
Picture
0 Comments

You never know -- a christmas story

11/27/2021

0 Comments

 

​"His name was Billy..."

A writer's first publishing credit is always special to them, but this particular story--a true one, in fact!--being my 1st is extra special.

One thing you need to know--I'm not a "Christmas person" or even religious--not then, not now. But this little miracle stands out as THE most profound moment I've ever had.

​I'm thrilled to see it published as maybe, just maybe, it will inspires others to experience a little miracle as well. The book is on sale now at all your usual sources. Hope you get a chance to check it out. Happy holidays! 
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

"THE JIMJAM" --A HALLOWEENSIE STORY

10/29/2021

7 Comments

 
The 11th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest is here!!! Susanna Hill runs several fun kidlit micro-fiction contests, and Halloweensie is no exception.

This year's essential info:
  • Write a 100-word Halloween story for kids aged 12 & under
  • Must include glow-in-the-dark, goosebumps, and goodies
  • Can be sweet, fun, or scary
  • Entries to be posted between Oct. 29th & Oct. 31st on Susanna's blog
​
  • My piece squeaks in under the limit at 99 words & is a bit on the "scary" side. I enjoyed playing with a different genre from my usual. Hope you like it!
PicturePhoto credit: Enrique Meseguer from Pixabay

THE JIMJAM
by Carrie Karnes-Fannin

 
Black licorice,
two bruised apples,
a toothbrush…
 
What kind of neighborhood is this?!? 
 
“Guys! C’mon, c’mon…one more.”
 
Your friends shrug.
They peel off, their glow-in-the-dark buckets
heavy with full-sized goodies.
 
Even your goosebumps have goosebumps
in the shivery October air.
 
You trudge on.
 
Under a broken streetlight,
on a shadowed street,
the house
​waits.
 
It gives you
heebie-jeebies...the willies…
the jimjams.
 
You mutter,
“I wouldn’t live here as a ghost,” 
 
Still…
you knock.
 
It opens--
empty, wide.
 
“Oh, aren’t you a sweetie?” A nothing beckons.
“Come! We’ll fill that bag right up.”
 
No treats for you tonight--
you’re tricked.

7 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    March 2020
    November 2017

© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • about
  • contact form
  • making art
    • digital
    • cut paper
    • line work
    • photography
  • the end pages