Chris Eldin was an aspiring middle grade author whose life
took a tragic turn and ended in 2012.
She was active in the writing community, helping dozens of fellow
authors promote their books. She was a
loving mother and a champion of young adult fiction. To those of us who knew her and want to
memorialize her, she was a friend.
We’re launching an annual fellowship in Chris’s honor, one
dedicated to middle grade fiction (ages 8 to 12), the genre she specialized in. And since she was unpublished at the time of
her death, we’re restricting the fellowship to previously unpublished writers. It’s what she would have wanted.
The idea is this: writers who have never before published
a middle grade novel are invited to submit the first 5000 words of their work-in-progress,
along with a synopsis. We’ll select
finalists, and young adult author Louise Hawes will choose a winner. With your help the winner will receive $1000
and a crystal trophy.
Who are we? We’re
the editors and friends of
The Lascaux
Review. We’re a group consisting of
writers and other industry professionals.
We’re the people who want to keep Christine Eldin’s name alive.
And we’ve got perks to award in exchange for
donations. They’re tallied in the
sidebar, but here’s some additional information:
1. The books are
all autographed. They were donated
personally by their respective authors.
2. When Travis
Erwin says he’ll eat a piece of lettuce in your honor, on video, while
proclaiming your name to all the universe within his periphery, you need to
genuflect in gratitude, because to Travis lettuce is the devil.
3. For more information about Erica Orloff's writing class visit her site.
4. All donors will be listed on the Lascaux Review donate page.
Since the fundraiser is now underway, and since we have
your undivided attention, we might as well announce that fellowship submissions
are being accepted at this time:
That’s about it.
Complete information about the contest can be found at eldinfellowship.org. If you have any questions write to Stephen Parrish or Wendy Russ at
lascauxreview at gmail dot com. We’ll
answer them immediately. If you’re
hesitant, read the eulogy Steve wrote. Then come back and help us honor
someone whose name deserves to live forever.
Thank you for your help.