Deadline Aug. 15, Biography of an Object Writing Contest

Full Contest Description: 

“Biography of an Object Writing Contest” is a national writing contest sponsored by Garth’s Auctions, Antiques & the Arts Weekly, AntiqueWeek, Maine Antique Digest and Prices4Antiques.com. Entrants may choose one of the following objects (or, request a 30 day trial membership from prices4antiques.com using the code “contest30day” to browse the archive and choose an object within their personal field of interest):

~ an ancient mummified bird

~ a painting of Indians by Frank Tenney Johnson

~ an authentic vampire killing kit

~ a pair of cased revolvers having belonged to Civil War General Benjamin Brice

~ an 18th C Philadelphia chair

~ a 19th C doll carved from a bedpost

~ a 17th C Tibetan Buddha figure inset with gems

Once an object is chosen, contestants should create a brief fictional biography (prose or poetry) or a more studied, non-fictional account. In either case, the author will want to address similar questions to those one would ask if writing a biography of a person: Where are you from? What was your life like? What was your purpose?. For example, the biography of a chest of drawers from France from the 1800’s would reveal totally different details than the biography of a chest of drawers from Philadelphia circa 1776. Entrants are also required to submit an image of the item of focus (images may be original art illustration, created by the author or photograph). Entries will be judged based on the accuracy of information related to the object of focus, idea development and storytelling, organization and writing mechanics.

The “Biography of an Object” contest opens June 15th and closes on August 15th. There will be three divisions: Kids (12 and under), Teens (13-19), and Adults (20 and above). This is a great project for older siblings, parents or grandparents to share with the young people in their lives or if you are a just a big kid yourself with a passion for antiques and the stories behind them!