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Name the Author Contest Winner has been announced

Congratulations to Lisa Santangelo, winner of the Name the Author Contest. Lisa had 16 correct answers and wins a $100.00 prize. Thank you to all 32 attendees who participated in the contest. The answers are:

1. Stephen King
2. Edgar Allan Poe
3. Pete Hamill
4. Jane Smiley
5. F. Scott Fitzgerald
6. Amy Waldman
7. Jonathan Franzen
8. Alice Walker
9. John Irving
10. Dan Gutman
11. George Orwell
12. Anne Tyler
13. Langston Hughes
14. Charlotte Bronte
15. J. K. Rowling
16. E. B. Lewis
17. Christopher Hitchens
18. Jodi Picoult
19. Oscar Wilde
20. Virginia Woolf


The 2012 Retrospect Best of the Fest
"Remake Your Book" Contest



Attention: bibliophiles, literature enthusiasts, book hoarders, bookworms, artists, and creative types of all sorts! Don't throw away those old, unwanted books! Transform them into an awesome work of art and win $100.00 in prize money! The possibilities are unlimited. Use your imagination or try searching online for "new uses for old books." In a tribute to the town book - The Submission, by Amy Waldman - all entries to this year's Best of the Fest must be blind submissions and will be voted on by attendees on the day of the Book Festival. The contest is funded by The Retrospect.

Entry Rules and Conditions

1. All ages are eligible to enter.
2. Entries must be delivered to the Collingswood Library, 771 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108 by October 1, 2012.
3. All entries must be accompanied with a sealed envelope containing the name, address, phone, email of the entrant, and the name of the creation if applicable. Entries will be assigned a number and will be considered a blind submission for judging purposes.
4. The winning entry will be determined by a paper ballot by Book Festival attendees at the Book Festival on Saturday, October 6, 2012. Entrant need not be present to win.
5. Judging criteria could include originality, creativity, workmanship, functionality, and appearance.
6. Entries will be exhibited at the Collingswood Book Festival. Collingswood Book Festival organizers have the right to deny the exhibit of any entry they deem inappropriate for a family friendly event.
7. All entries will be returned to their owners.
8. Entry in the contest constitutes permission for the Collingswood Book Festival to publicize the entrant’s name, entry likeness or photograph without further permission, payment or other consideration



2012 Poetry Competition: Young Poets, Naturally!

Young Poets 7-13 invited to submit poems to be read at the BookFest's Poetry Tent

The Theme:
Organically Grown Poetry
Poems About the Wonder of Nature

Since the Children's Poetry Competition was so successful last year, it has been expanded to include four categories: school children up to 8, 9-10, 11-13 (or anyone in 7th grade) and a new category that is open to children with special needs. So get out the pencils

Prizes and Awards for Four Categories!
Fun prizes will be given out to winners, and to two runners up in each category. Also, winners will receive a ready-to-frame certificate, plus a booklet of the best entries. Kicking off the Poetry Tent's festivities: under the guidance of well-respected poet and editor Anna Evans, winners and runners up will be able to read their poems to an excited audience…and to Mom’s smiles and Grandmom's applause.

Entry Rules
1. Any child either 7 to 13 in age (or in grades first through seventh) may enter. There will be four award categories: 7-8, 9-10, 11-13 or seventh grade, and one for children/youths in a recognized Special Needs program.
2. Poems must be original works by the submitter.
3. Poems may be about any appropriate subject pertaining to Nature and any of its wonders, including animals, birds, plants, trees, and places. One might discuss what is liked best, or what is done in Nature's setting, or the wonders of a butterfly, a frog, a fish, a bear or a favorite flower or time when flowers bloom. It does not have to actually mention Nature as long as something about it is described. Judges will give maximum liberty to the author of the poem.
4. Up to three poems may be submitted by any individual.
4. The poems should be submitted clearly printed or typed on one side of the sheet. The name, age. grade and town of the poet should be clearly noted on the opposite side, along with name of contact adult (parent or advisor) to allow notification of awards (Email and/or telephone are desired). Note "Special Needs Youth" when appropriate.

Entries sent by mail
Mailed entries should be sent to: BookFest Poetry, c/o Collingswood Library, 771 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108. Entries sent by mail must be postmarked on or before September 10th. You may also hand deliver your entry to the Library's front desk.

If return of submitted material is desired, a proper self-addressed envelope must be enclosed. Noted adults will be contacted if children are invited to read their poetry or receive awards.

A series of poems submitted will be selected to be read by their poets at the Collingswood Book Festival's Poetry Tent to open the Festivities on Saturday, October 6th. If desired, poet Anna Evans will read it with the young poet. Judges will select top poems in each category to be awarded special prizes.




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Take at look at contest information from previous years

The Book Cover Winner Is...

Thank you to all attendees who entered the "Can You Tell a Book by Its Cover?" contest at this year's Book Festival. Congratulations to winner Kristie Winks with 13 correct titles. The answers are below:

1. The Paris Wife
2. Born to Run
3. Llama, Llama Red Pajama
4. Jurassic Park
5. The Book Thief
6. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
7. Moneyball
8. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
9. A Tale of Two Cities
10. Bossypants
11. A Visit from the Goon Squad
12. The Emperor of All Maladies
13. Lord of the Flies
14. 1984
15. On the Road
16. The Count of Monte Cristo
17. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier &Clay
18. Friday Night Lights
19. Fast Food Nation
20. The World is Flat


Collingswood Book Festival presents the Retrospect "Best of the Fest"
“Books 2 Eat” Contest




Grand Prize $100

Entry Rules and Conditions:

  • Entries must be completely edible.
  • Entries must represent a favorite book: It can refer to a book or character, look like a book, be a pun on a book title, or have some literary connection.
  • Entries must be pre-registered no later than Wednesday, September 28, 2011. Registrations must include the following information: Title of Edible Book Creation, Entrant's Name, Home Address, Phone, Email. Registrations should be emailed to : twdr112@yahoo.com or hand delivered or mailed to: Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108, Attn: Books 2 Eat Contest.
  • Entries should be delivered to the Collingswood Cloud Building (across from the library) between 8:00 am and 10:00 am on the day of the Collingswood Book Festival, Saturday, October 1, 2011.
  • Entries may be submitted by individuals, families, or groups.
  • Entries will be judged on creativity, presentation, and interpretation of a book title, character, or image. Judges will be local chefs and library staff. Winners will be announced at 12 Noon, October 1, 2011.
  • The Grand Prize winner will receive a $100 reward sponsored by the Retrospect Newspaper. Five runners-up will receive dessert for two at a local restaurant.
  • The best family entry will win a family membership to the Camden Children's Garden (good for one year).
  • Upon delivery to the Collingswood Book Festival on October 1, 2011, entries will become the property of the Collingswood Book Festival. Entries will be on display throughout the day, and at the end of the Festival will be promptly eaten. In submitting an entry, the entrant confers the right to the Collingswood Book Festival the use of his/her edible creation in those activities related to the Festival's Books 2 Eat Contest, its public relations/Fest information, and awards festivities.

2011 POETRY CONTEST: It's the Season for Young Poets

Young Poets 7 - 13 invited to submit poems to be read at Collingswood BookFest's Poetry Tent

The Theme:
It's a Great Season
Winter Spring Summer or Fall

Delectable Prizes by The Pop Shop!

Entry Rules

  • Any child, either 7 to 13 in age, or in grades first through seventh, may enter.
  • Poems must be original works by the submitter.
  • May be about any appropriate subject pertaining to one or more of the Four Seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer or Autumn) and may take any poetic format. For example, it might discuss what is liked best, or what is done in a Season, or the wonders of one or another Season. It does not have to actually mention the Season, as long as something about the Season is described. Judges will give maximum liberty to the author of the poem.
  • Up to three poems may be submitted by any individual.
  • The poems should be submitted clearly printed or typed on one side of the sheet. The name, age. grade and town of the poet should be clearly noted on the opposite side, along with name of contact adult (parent or advisor) to allow notification of awards (Email and/or telephone are desired).

Entries sent by mail are to be mailed to BookFest Poetry, c/o Collingswood Library, 771 Haddon Avenue. Collingswood, NJ 08108. Entries sent by mail must be postmarked September 1th or before. You may also hand deliver your entry to the Library’s front desk.

If return of submitted material is desired, a proper self-addressed envelope must be enclosed. Noted adults will be contacted if children are invited to read their poetry or receive awards.
A series of poems submitted will be selected to be read by their poets at the Collingswood Book Festival's Poetry Tent to open the Festivities on Saturday, October 1st. If desired, a prominent local poet will read it with the young poet. Judges will select top poems to be awarded special prizes


The Retrospect Best of the Fest Six Word Memoir Contest Winners

Grand Prize Winner:

At the library, I'm in heaven.
-- Brenna McDevitt, age 10, Williamstown, NJ

10 Runners up:

Reading is music for your eyes.
-- Gail Andrea Mehl, Collingswood

Words have souls, books feed mine.
-- Kathie Pitman, Forked River, NJ

A well read person lives well.
-- Aurora Sperlunto, Haddon Township, NJ

Hold your book close and dream.
-- Susan Weidener, Chester Springs, PA

Kids and books: best friends forever.
-- Amy Welsh, Collingswood

Always loved metaphors. Words are lifesavers.
-- Doug Otto, Collingswood

Devouring books is my favorite dessert.
-- Lynn Lamousin, Atlanta, GA

Time for bed, another chapter, please!
-- Dean Williams, West Collingswood

Bed, beach, couch, chair, read everywhere.
-- Hannah Chomiczewski, Collingswood

Adventures await in books yet unread.
-- Marilyn Schipp, Lawrenceville, NJ


We Have a Winner!

Congratulations to Aaron Goldfarb winner of this year's Festival Contest, Can You Tell a Book by Its Cover? Aaron had 15 out of 20 correct answers and will receive a prize of $100.00.

Thank you to all who participated in the contest. The answers are below. Several books, especially paperback editions, may have various covers.

  • 1. Life of Pi
  • 2. Devil in the White City
  • 3. Angela's Ashes
  • 4. A Clockwork Orange
  • 5. A Room with a View
  • 6. The Help
  • 7. Old School
  • 8. Marley and Me
  • 9. Catch 22
  • 10. The Invisible Man
  • 11. Catcher in the Rye
  • 12. The Fountainhead
  • 13. Hiroshima
  • 14. From Here to Eternity
  • 15. The Exorcist
  • 16. A Confederacy of Dunces
  • 17. The Omnivore’s Dilemma
  • 18. The Five People You Meet in Heaven
  • 19. The Grapes of Wrath
  • 20. The Lovely Bones


Best of the Fest

The Collingswood Book Festival Announces
The Retrospect Best of the Fest Six Word Memoir Contest 2010 - Win $100!

Can you sum up your literary life/thoughts in exactly six words? If your Six-Word Memoir is the winner, you will be awarded $100 by The Retrospect newspaper. This year's contest is a variation on the New York Times best selling book Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure. Show off your literary pride, wit, depth, expertise, or humor in six words - no more, no less! Entries will be judged by Larry Smith, editor of SMITH Magazine, creators of the Six-Word Memoir project.

Some examples:
"There are never too many books"
"So many books, so little time"
"Life without books is beyond imagination"

For more information about six-word memoir writing, check out Larry Smith's web site at www.smithmag.net.

Entry Rules and Conditions

1. All entries must be original.
2. All entries must be six words.
3. All entries must have a literary theme.
4. All entries must be received by September 10, 2010.
5. Authors can be of any age.
6. Up to ten memoirs may be submitted by any individual.
7. The winning author will be contacted and will be invited, but not required, to attend to receive the $100 award at the Collingswood Book Festival on Saturday, October 2, 2010.
8. In submitting the memoir as an entry, the author confers the right to the Collingswood Book Festival to the use of his or her memoir in those activities related to the Festival's Memoir Contest, its public relations/Fest information, awards festivities, the Festival's general operation and any awards program archive.
9. The winning author and runners-up will be published in The Retrospect newspaper and posted on the Collingswood Book Festival web site.
10. Email entries with name, home address, phone and email address to: bookfestmemoir@collingswoodbookfestival.com, or hand deliver or mail to: Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108, Attn: Memoir Contest.



2010 Poster Contest

2010 Poster Contest

Where do you like to read in Collingswood: The park, the pool, the playground, your porch??

Show us where you like to read by creating a poster using your choice of crayons, paint, markers, or photos (or a combination). Complete the poster yourself, or work with friends and/or family.

This contest is open to all Collingswood residents and must state the Book Festival theme: "Collingswood: It's Where You Want to Read" on the front of the poster. Posters should be made on a standard-sized piece of poster board (22 x 28 in). On the back of the poster, put your name(s), age(s) and a contact number.

Posters should be submitted to the Children's Department at the Collingswood Public Library starting June 23rd and deadline for submissions is September 12th. There will be a rotating display of posters throughout the summer in the Children's Department.

Submissions will be judged by the Book Festival Committee and prize winners in various categories will be announced at the Book Festival on October 2nd. A selection of posters will be on display in Loompaland at the Book Festival.