Cheerios® is searching for the next great children’s book author.

It could be you!

Just enter your original children’s book story by July 15, 2009.

WHAT IS THE CONTEST?

The Cheerios New Author Contest encourages aspiring authors to write and submit an original story for a book for children ages 3 to 8.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN.  A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

What can I win?

Grand Prize

One (1) Grand Prize of $5000 cash will be awarded.  In addition to the cash prize, the Grand Prize winning story submission will be offered to a reputable Children’s Book Publishing company for possible future publication.  Publication not guaranteed.  The $5000 will be awarded as a check made payable to the Grand Prize winner.  Approximate value of the Grand Prize is $5000.  Publishing terms and contract, if applicable, will be handled independently by a reputable Children’s Book Publishing company.

First Prizes

Two (2) First Prizes of $1000 each will be awarded.  The $1000 First Prizes will be awarded as checks made payable to each of the two (2) First Prize winners.  Approximate value of each First Prize is $1000.

The stories of all Prize winners will appear on www.SpoonfulsofStories.com.

All contest prizes are not substitutable or transferable, except at the sole discretion of General Mills. One prize per person.  All taxes and other expenses, if any, are the sole responsibility of the winners.  This contest is void where prohibited or otherwise regulated.  All federal, state and local laws apply.

Who can enter?

You are eligible if you are 18 years of age or older as of March 16, 2009, and are a legal United States resident residing in one of the 50 United States or District of Columbia during the competition.  Entries originating from any other jurisdiction are not eligible for entry.  This contest is governed exclusively by the laws of the United States.??You are not eligible to enter and will be disqualified if:

• You are a professional writer, such as a novelist, magazine, blogger or newspaper writer who writes books or articles for pay.
• You have authored a work of fiction that has been published or is about to be published in exchange for payment.
• You are a volunteer of the First Book Advisory Board or an employee of General Mills, Archway Marketing Services, First Book or any of their respective parents, subsidiaries and affiliated companies, or a member of the immediate family (parent, children, siblings, spouse, regardless of where they live) or same household of such employees (whether related or not).

Meet Lori Degman. Her story, 1 Zany Zoo, won the Grand Prize in the 2008 Cheerios® Spoonfuls of Stories New Author Contest. She won $5,000 from Cheerios®, and will have her book published by Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing.

You can see her book come to life on www.spoonfulsofstories.com.