New Contest Theme and Announcements

Morning, Pixels! Wow, do we have a busy week planned on Pix-N-Pens. Before I announce the contest theme, I'll share with you a special event happening here Thursday.

The sole entrant for our "Small Town U.S.A." contest has graciously agreed to allow us to publish her essay, and we'll introduce her to you on Thursday. So be sure to check back in then, and welcome her with your comments.

Now, for our contest.

This week's theme is near and dear to my heart. We welcome special guest judge, Yvonne Ortega, for our theme "Family Experience with Cancer" or your experience with Relay for Life.

Submit your essay or short story - 2000 words or less - by Friday, June 6th for your chance to win an autographed copy of Yvonne's book, Hope for the Journey through Cancer. Your entry, a real-life story in the form of an essay, or a fictional one in the form of a short story, must share a family experience with cancer or your experience with Relay for Life. Submit your entry to tracyruckman [at] gmail [dot] com.

Allow me to introduce our guest judge.

Yvonne Ortega is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner, Clinically Certified Domestic Violence Counselor, speaker, and author.

She is the author of Hope for the Journey through Cancer, Revell 2007 and a contributing author to The Embrace of a Father, Bethany House, 2006. She has also been published in Spirit-Led Writer, The Secret Place, The Quiet Hour, The Virginia Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors VAADAC Views, and other magazines.

Yvonne has presented workshops at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference in 2007, the Richmond, VA Fall Conference in 2004, and at the Maine Christian Writers Conference in 2001 and 2002.

You can learn more about Yvonne on her Web site. You can also visit her blog: Stepping Stones for Survival.

Visit Relay for Life to find events in your area.