Essay Contest

One Book, One Community "Memoir" Essay Contest

Sponsored by Barnes & Noble Booksellers

REQUIRED TOPIC

"I had to find out more about who I was, and in order to find out who I was, I had to find out who my mother was."

"I felt like a Tinkertoy kid building my own self out of one of those toy building sets; for as [my mother] laid her life before me, I reassembled the tableau of her words like a picture puzzle, and as I did, so my own life was rebuilt."

James McBride, The Color of Water

Finding out more about the lives of those close to us can lead to self-discovery. Interview a person who has had an impact on your life—a parent, grandparent, relative, teacher, etc. What new insights, facts, or experiences did you learn about that person? And how does that new knowledge lead to greater self-understanding?

Your essay will be judged on how well you connect those two questions.

LENGTH : Maximum length is 1000 words

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES : Essays must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 29. Late entries will not be accepted.

TO SUBMIT ESSAYS : To submit your essay via email send a message containing your name, address, phone number to kmcgormley@yahoo.com . Attach your essay to the e-mail with the subject line "Color of Water Essay Contest".

You can also submit your essay in person or via mail to Barnes & Noble Booksellers, c/o "Color of Water Essay Contest"; 333 East Grand River, East Lansing , MI 48823 .

If you are a student, please indicate whether you are in high school or college.

JUDGING : A three-member panel of judges will evaluate the memoir. Your essay should be entirely your own work, without outside assistance of any kind. The judges' decision is final.

Winners will be notified October 5 and prizes will be awarded at the Final Event at Barnes and Noble on October 6. Submitted essays will not be returned.

Questions about this contest should be referred to Kate McGormley, One Book, One Community project manager at (734) 625-1070.