The Joy Culture Foundation
2024 Little Author Fair

Calling all little authors! Have you been enjoying all the awesome books in our library? Have you been brainstorming your own stories? The Joy Culture Foundation would like to invite all the little creative minds to share their creations with our community. Submit your writing and illustration, and we will help you print the book! It’s your time to shine!

Theme & Inspiration

LOVE (ex: your love for food or animals, friendship)

Age Category

  • Grade K-3 (max 500 Chinese characters)

  • Grade 4 and up (max 800 Chinese characters)

Format

  • Word count is based on Chinese, story should be bilingual with both English and Chinese

  • Illustration: Self draw or AI generated

  • Suggested template: TJCF Little Author—Story Template, TJCF Little Author—Children's Book AI Illustration Submission Instructions (Required if AI tool is used)

Prizes

  • TJCF will print 5 copies of each selected story, and add it to the library collection of Little Bookworm Chinese Library

  • Children will have the opportunity to display their book and storyboard at TJCF 2024 AAPI Family Day

  • One free coaching session of creative writing after the fair

Timeline

  • Submission deadline: 4/21

  • Selection Announcement: 4/28

  • Fair: 5/18 (2024 TJCF AAPI Family Day) 

Rules

  • Each child should submit only one story. 

  • Stories must be the writer's own, original work.

  • Please submit your children's piece by 4/21 23:59pm. Upload the PDF (writing, illustration, and supporting materials) to Google Drive along with the submission form.

Resources

Suggested tools:

  • Book editing tools: Bookcreator, Canva, Adobe Express, Google Doc/Word

  • Illustration generation: 

    • Recommended: StorywithAI (custom GPT tool built to guide story illustration creation in a step-by-step format)

    • Other general tools: Chat GPT, Midjourney, Stable AI 

Workshops:

TJCF will host the following free workshops to help our little author and families navigate their creation journey.

  • Intro to story writing: 3/23 3-4pm, Ms. Zoe

  • How to use AI tool in your story creation journey: 3/30 3-4pm, Fangfang Tan

  • Intro to book illustration: 4/6 3-4pm, Ms. Anda