My story received an Honorable Mention in the 2026 Valentiny Writing Contest!
I’m thrilled to share that my entry, Snowy with a Chance of Valentines, earned an Honorable Mention in this year’s Valentiny Writing Contest for children’s writers. Each year, the contest challenges authors to craft a complete story in 214 words or fewer around a specific theme. This year’s theme was superstition, and I explored it through the emotional world of a young girl named Eloise.
Eloise is convinced that her feelings control the weather — a superstition that becomes especially complicated as Valentine’s Day approaches. With every worry, hope, and burst of excitement, she imagines she might be summoning storms or sunshine. When she wakes to a blanket of snow on the big day, she’s certain she’s ruined everything… until she discovers that weather (and love) can surprise you.
Here’s a tiny peek:
When Eloise cried, rivers formed.
When she was mad, the ground shook.
When she was happy, her laughter cleared the fog.
I’m honored to have this story recognized, and I’m excited to continue creating work that celebrates children’s big feelings, imagination, and inner magic.
