The opportunity for their story to appear in the Whimsy Wood Tales, LLC Children’s Anthology.
Certificate of Completion-A personalized certificate celebrating their accomplishment—whether or not their story is published.
Personalized Letter from Dr. Nina Kelly-A handwritten note commending their creativity.
Clear Writing Guidelines, Age-appropriate tips, editing & feedback, and prompts to help craft a polished story.
Invitation to a Virtual Launch Party
One Complimentary Copy of the Anthology & the option to purchase additional copies.
Comments and revision suggestions from children’s editors.
Letter to Their School. A formal announcement to share with teachers and classmates that they are a published author.
Story Reading on the Whimsy Wood Tales Children’s Show.
A featured live or recorded reading of their work, giving them a moment in the spotlight.
Digital “Author” Badge
About the Author” Website Feature.
A short spotlight (photo + bio) on our site or newsletter to celebrate their individual journey.
Citation-Ready Résumé Entry. A formatted line they can drop into school activity lists or future college applications: Published Author, Honey Bee Tree House Anthology, 2025.
You become a REAL author!
Your story could be printed in a book that kids and families all over can read.
You get to use your imagination.
Dream up magical characters, fun places, and exciting adventures.
You can share your voice.
Your ideas matter.
You’ll feel super proud.
Imagine holding a book in your hands and saying, “I wrote part of this!”
You’ll be part of something BIG. Lots of kids are writing too, and together you’ll create one amazing book.
So grab your pencil (or keyboard!) and let your imagination grow here.
We can’t wait to read your story!
A professionally published book featuring original short stories by children ages 5–8 and 9–12, guided and curated by mythologist Dr. Nina M. Kelly. It’s designed to give every participant an authentic author’s experience—from creative prompts through publication and public readings
Any child in one of our three categories:
Ages 5–8
Ages 9–13
Ages 14-18
Complete the cover sheet and obtain parental/guardian consent.
Review the Submission Package (includes guidelines, templates, and checklist).
Work with your child to write and format your story following the provided instructions.
Upload your PDF into our portal by the stated deadline. deadline.
Yes. An entry fee helps cover administrative & editorial work, printing, and shipping.
The entry fees are as follows:
$50 submission only
$75 submission and author signed copy of the required book.
Yes as the submission must be based on a character in the designated book. You can grab your own copy in whichever way is most convenient for you:
Author-Signed Edition – Order a personalized, signed hardcover directly from our website.
Online Retailers – Find both print and e-book editions on Amazon.
Local Bookstores – Support your community: ask your favorite independent shop to stock it (they’ll often be happy to order it for you).
Your Library – Check it out for free! If your library doesn’t yet carry the book, please ask the librarian to purchase or request it through interlibrary loan—every request helps bring more stories to young readers everywhere.
You’ll receive an email confirmation (or a mailed postcard if sent by post).
Every author—published or not—earns a Certificate of Completion.
We provide professional feedback on every submission within 4–6 weeks of the deadline
Due to limited space, not every story can be included. However:
All entrants receive thoughtful editorial feedback.
Selected authors see their work in print, receive a hardcover copy, and enjoy special program benefits.
You’ll receive an acceptance email (or letter) announcing publication, along with details on next steps, digital assets, and event invitations.
Deadlines are posted each year in the Submission Package. Please check the current PDF for the exact date, and plan to submit at least one week early to avoid technical issues.
Becoming a published author before age 13 demonstrates initiative, creativity, and project-completion skills—qualities colleges value in their holistic review process. You’ll also gain memorable material for essays, interviews, and résumé entries.
Email our submissions team at ann@honeybeetreehouse.com or call (847) 525-9129. We’re happy to help!