Fall Writing Frenzy 2026 Names 18 Winners and 10 Honorable Mentions

Eighteen writers will receive manuscript critiques after the eighth annual #FallWritingFrenzy drew 170 entries, with another 10 writers named honorable mentions. The 2026 results bring the seasonal writing event’s focus on children’s literature into view: its selected titles range from autumnal fantasy and spooky stories to science themed picture-book concepts and culturally varied celebrations.

Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez, the event’s creator, and co-host Lydia Lukidis selected the winners. They said the volume and quality of submissions made the choices difficult, and described the writing community’s support for one another as a defining part of the event. The winning entries were listed in no particular order.

Critiques for 18 selected entries

The prize for each winner is a critique from a named donor. The pairings connect emerging writers with children’s book creators and other professionals, offering a chance to receive focused feedback on a piece of work. The organizers said winners should expect an email matching them with their donor.

The selected writers and titles are:

• Kathy Halsey, Wonder-fall Mountain Enchantment — critique from Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan.
• Brenna Jeanneret, The Spirit of Pumpkins Past — critique from Michael Benner.
• Anna Marie Evans, Why We (Carotenoids) Are Better Than Chlorophyll: A Fall Leaf Story — critique from Katie Scott.
• Sue Lancaster, The Daily Dread — critique from Nathan Christopher.
• Laura Proven Croyle, The World’s Best Secret-Keeper — critique from Teresa Robeson.
• Leslie Yardeni, Autumn Breeze — critique from Gabriela Baron.
• Sharon Korzelius, Green and Gold — critique from Rena Rossner, who chose this entry.
• Michelle S. Kennedy, ETROG MAGIC — critique from Lesléa Newman.
• Susan Jakubowski, Faux Paw — critique from Diana Murray.
• Keke Davis, The Fourteenth Flame — critique from Aashna Avachat.
• Morgan Lau, Mooncake Magic — critique from Alexandra Levick.
• Rebecca Singer, Hannah Finds Her Place — critique from Chana Stiefel.
• Marie Barnett, The Sleepy Skeleton — critique from Matt Forrest Esenwine.
• Kathleen Jacobs, Lemon’s FALL From Grace — critique from Joyce Uglow.
• Francie Dekker, The Pumpkin That Jack Carved — critique from Tova Seltzer.
• Rochelle Smith, Tendril’s Autumn Adventure — critique from Foyinsi Adegbonmire.
• Jessica Jenson, The Boo Wyrm — critique from Kaitlyn Sanchez, who chose this entry.
• Sue Ko, The Hollow — critique from Lydia Lukidis, who chose this entry.

Ten honorable mentions

Ten additional entries received honorable mentions. Their writers are Elizabeth Muster for The Scaredcrow; Teresa Traver for Library Magic; Cristina Restrepo-Harner for A Rose for Rosa; Teresa Speranza Vargas for The Goal of a Young Troll; and Maritere Bellas for A Halloween Catrina.

The remaining honorees are Celia Cataldo, The Hawthorne Gift; Shuba Mohan, Survivor Seeds; Laura Clement, Petrichor; Shravan Meda, Laltu’s Diwali; and Elizabeth Stiert, Unmasked. Taken together, the titles suggest a wide range of settings, characters and seasonal touchstones among this year’s submissions. The announcement doesn’t provide plot descriptions, so the titles offer the clearest glimpse of the work represented.

A community alongside the awards

The organizers emphasized that recognition was only one part of the event. They encouraged every participant to keep writing and connecting with the children’s literature community, while acknowledging that a limited number of entries could be selected. That message matters in a field where a contest result can offer encouragement and professional feedback, but a single round of judging can’t account for every promising manuscript.

For the winners, the next step is the promised email connecting each writer to a critique donor. The organizers also made a winner’s badge available to download and share. Donors who contributed critiques are listed on the event’s donor page, which includes information about supporting their work.

The eighth edition has now concluded, and the hosts said they are looking ahead to next year. For participants, the practical takeaway is immediate: keep developing the work, stay in touch with fellow writers, and make the most of the feedback when it arrives. With 170 entries submitted and 28 recognized across the winners and honorable mentions, the 2026 event offered a snapshot of an active community bringing fresh stories to children’s literature.