Tony DiTerlizzi » Contests

You’ve got Mad Writing and Drawing Skillz Dawg!

June 14th, 2010 | Category: Blogroll, Contests, Musings

I’ve been selected as a judge for a very cool contest — the 2010 PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest where children (ages K-3) across the country were encouraged to submit their original stories and illustrations. The folks at PBS Kids culled through the over 25,000 submissions and I am lucky enough to select the finalists for the 2nd and 3rd grade submissions (awesomeness!). These young writers and artists have done a fantastic job! It has been tough to pick just one winner each.

Best of luck to all who entered, I am thrilled to see such creative little minds hard at work imagining new tales for the next generation.

PS – If you didn’t submit this year, you should seriously consider it for 2011. Check out the website — the winners will be posted there and they have all sorts of cool stuff for kids who like to write or draw: PBSkids.org

2 comments

Snuggle up with MENO!

December 23rd, 2009 | Category: Blogroll, Contests, Meno!

Happy Holidays Dear Readers of My Blog!

I hope 2009 was a fine year for you, despite its economical ups-and-downs and scary amounts of unemployment. During times like this, I am reminded that support from my fans and friends for my books affords my family a comfortable life allowing me to keep creating. So thank you.

Angela and I have been promoting our silly toddler book series, Adventure of Meno, with a whole slew of what I like to call “Crafty Mom Blogs”. I like these blogs greatly because:

A. My mom was (and still is) a crafty mom.

B. Ang and I both love doing a craft with our daughter, Sophia.

Ang found a wonderful local seamstress to create custom Meno cloud blankets which are being given away at various Crafty Mom Blogs. All you have to do is leave a comment on their post and you could win a blanket of your choice, PLUS a signed copy of Meno books 1 and 2! Below are some of the sites participating, more will be posted soon as these contests will run into January…

Good luck Crafty Readers!

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Friday Fan Art/Design Your Dragon! Epilogue

October 12th, 2008 | Category: Blogroll, Contests, Kenny & The Dragon

Yesterday Angela received a most awesome “thank you” email from Qing (aka “Mr. Cyan”) which I just had to share. You may remember Qing’s awesome entry from the “Design Your Dragon” contest held a couple of months back. And, after touring, press, etc., I was finally able to send him (and the rest of the winners) a signed/doodled first edition of Kenny & the Dragon (which is now in its fourth printing – wow).

Qing’s thank you note is amazing, and it also exemplifies some of the memorable experiences I had while on tour. I LOVE meeting my young readers and my Spiderwick fans, of course, I am always touched when someone slaps down an old Planescape book to be signed. Your gifts, kind thoughts, and well-wishes inspire me and give me pause to be thankful in allowing me to do what I do for a living

Thanks Qing, and everyone else who participated in the contest. We’ll be sure to do it again very soon!

2 comments

Design Your Dragon! Contest WINNERS!

August 01st, 2008 | Category: Blogroll, Contests, Friday Fan Art, Kenny & The Dragon, Musings

Wow! All I can say to you all is WOW! Everyone really did a phenomenal job for this contest!

All of us here at DiTerlizzi studio tonight were BLOWN AWAY by the menagerie of dragons that danced upon my computer screen and on the flat files and floor. We received entries from all over the world, in all age groups, and in all sorts of mediums.

Judging was tough. We discussed all of the entrant’s work at length – looking for that great combination of story, character and design. I even invited John Lind, a designer buddy of mine (and his loverly wife), to come and help Angela, Will and I with the decision-making – it was that tough for us.

Everyone agreed there should be more than three winners – so we doubled it and chose six.

But, before you read on, check out Joe Sutphin’s amazing entry. Joe sent me a note saying he just enjoyed being a part of the contest, and wanted someone else to take the prize. Nonetheless, I thought you all would enjoy his “Stilted Atlantic Wyvern” or “Crab Hawk”.

Thanks for being a part of this Joe, I just know you’ll go on to influence others with your imaginative art… Now, onto our WINNERS!

8-year old Ben from Bishop, California sent us this fun drawing of “The Western Dook Dragon”.
“…Who loves flying everywhere. It eats mushrooms, potatoes and other things. It swims in duck ponds and plays with ducks.”

Next, the judges couldn’t agree whose piece they liked more from brother and sister artistic duo, Gracie and Isaac – so we decided to award a prize signed to both of them.

Gracie’s (age 7) dragon is named “Tutu the Dancing Dragon”.
“She likes to dance. She likes to boogie. She wears this outfit all the time. She dances for the king of TwinkleLand. Tutu dazzles with her dancing tricks.”

While Isaac’s dragon is called “Pistachio”.
“He throws the parties at home in his castle, and everyone is invited. He likes cotton candy, and he enjoys both giving and getting presents.”

Meanwhile, we were all blown away by 15-year old Nancy’s depiction of “Xarpho”.
“…who has been known to snack on trolls and stray vagabonds every now and then. Nowadays she lives a solitary life in high mountains, collecting four-leaf clovers, maple keys, and things alike.”

From Wilton, New Hampshire came “Horace”, a Greater Mangrove Drake, colorfully rendered by Sara.
“He’s a semi-aquatic dragon with a fondness for terrapin soup and mint tea. He loves poetry but unfortunately prefers to have it read to him, as the pages get soggy underwater.”

Next, from HangZhou, near ShangHai China, comes “Big Cyan” a self-portrait by Qing.
“He loves watching movies and playing basketball. He is a pacifist. He hates environment pollution, especially automobiles polluting the air over the street. So he likes to wear a mask when he riding a bike on the street.”

..and last (but certainly not least) is our GRAND PRIZE WINNER Adam! Everyone just loved the originality and magic in this illustration and description:
“This is my dragon Furwyrm. In this picture you can find him on his usual early evening activity, hunting Glowdoves. A tasty morsel indeed, providing not only nurishment, but the special life essence called Esporia. The Furwyrm’s huge eyes allow them to spot these mystic creatures from miles away. Usually keeping to the misty rocky cliffs near the Outer Lakes, Furwyrms have been also known to have an affection for waterfalls. They will use it as a giant shower and an easy way to keep their long bodies clean.”

For your extra cool image Adam, I will send you the signed/drawn book AND a copy of the Kenny and the Dragon audio book read by Alan Cumming!

Dear readers, I hope you were as inspired by these majestic drawings as much as we were. Thank you all so much for participating (especially those who had also entered the Spiderwick drawing contest), I was truly touched by the amount and quality of work that came in – you all have inspired me.

21 comments

DESIGN YOUR DRAGON Contest – Last Day!

July 31st, 2008 | Category: Contests, Friday Fan Art, Kenny & The Dragon, Musings

Happy Thursday!

Today is the last day that we’ll accept entries for our latest contest to “Design Your Dragon”, so if you work well under pressure, you have until midnight tonight. We have received some phenomenal entries so far – you really rocked it out this time – wow!

My loverly wife Angela, my assistant Will, and yours truly, will judge and announce the winners tomorrow for a special edition of “Friday Fan Art”. Stay tuned!

46 comments

Design Your Dragon! Contest Reminder…

July 24th, 2008 | Category: Blogroll, Contests, Friday Fan Art, Kenny & The Dragon, Musings

We’ve received some AMAZING entires to the “Design Your Dragon” contest so far…so keep them coming! With only a week left to go, if you have not yet entered then you better get scribbling.

You can enter from any part of the world, any age, and any medium. And of course, you can enter as many times as you’d like.

Here are the contest details once again:

I am terribly excited to share with you all my upcoming chapter book, Kenny and the Dragon. Though it is not due in stores until August 5th, I will be giving away three signed (first edition) copies here on the site…each, with a very special drawing in them.

All you have to do is design your very own dragon!

Like Grahame, the dragon who dubs himself a “Renaissance guy” in my book, I want you to come up with a drake of your own, who has its own personality. Here is what I am looking for:

1. A full color image of your dragon (any medium), along with his/her/its name.
2. A quick (4-5 lines) description of his/her/its personality. What does it like to eat? Does it play an instrument? Is it moody? Enjoy long walks in the park? Etc…

…you tell me what makes your dragon so darn special.

I will be judging on originality, creativity, and pure imagination. It doesn’t matter if you are a good drawer or not. It doesn’t matter if you are a two-year old kid, or an eighty two-year old kid…all entries will be accepted.

And those entries have to be in front of my bespectacled eyes by July 31, 2008.

You can send ‘em to me at:

Tony DiTerlizzi
“Design Your Dragon” Contest
P.O. Box #442
Amherst, MA 01004

Or email’em to Angela at: angela@diterlizzi.com
*Please title your email “Design Your Dragon”.

Winners will be chosen by myself, my loverly wife Angela, and my trusty assistant Will. We will announce the winners here on the site August 1, 2008, and I will then award winners with a signed copy of Kenny and the Dragon, along with a drawing in the book of Grahame (my dragon) shaking claws and congratulating YOUR DRAGON!

…sound cool? Then get drawin’ – and good luck!

25 comments

Friday Fan Art- DESIGN YOUR DRAGON Contest

July 08th, 2008 | Category: Blogroll, Contests, Friday Fan Art, Kenny & The Dragon, Musings

Time for another contest!

I am terribly excited to share with you all my upcoming chapter book, Kenny and the Dragon. Though it is not due in stores until August 5th, I will be giving away three signed (first edition) copies here on the site…each, with a very special drawing in them.

All you have to do is design your very own dragon!

Like Grahame, the dragon who dubs himself a “Renaissance guy” in my book, I want you to come up with a drake of your own, who has its own personality. Here is what I am looking for:

1. A full color image of your dragon (any medium), along with his/her/its name.
2. A quick (4-5 lines) description of his/her/its personality. What does it like to eat? Does it play an instrument? Is it moody? Enjoy long walks in the park? Etc…

…you tell me what makes your dragon so darn special.

I will be judging on originality, creativity, and pure imagination. It doesn’t matter if you are a good drawer or not. It doesn’t matter if you are a two-year old kid, or an eighty two-year old kid…all entries will be accepted.

And those entries have to be in front of my bespectacled eyes by July 31, 2008.

You can send ‘em to me at:

Tony DiTerlizzi
“Design Your Dragon” Contest
P.O. Box #442
Amherst, MA 01004

Or email’em to Angela at: angela@diterlizzi.com
*Please title your email “Design Your Dragon”.

Winners will be chosen by myself, my loverly wife Angela, and my trusty assistant Will. We will announce the winners here on the site August 1, 2008, and I will then award winners with a signed copy of Kenny and the Dragon, along with a drawing in the book of Grahame (my dragon) shaking claws and congratulating YOUR DRAGON!

…sound cool? Then get drawin’ – and good luck!

49 comments

Friday Fan Art- Spiderwick DVD Drawin’ Contest RUNNER UPS!

July 05th, 2008 | Category: Contests, Friday Fan Art, Musings, Spiderwick Stuff

I hope everyone here in the states had a great Fourth of July yesterday. I was so busy eating hot dogs and playing with sparklers, that I forgot about posting our runner ups for the DVD Drawin’ Contest, so here they are!

As with our winners, the judges (myself, Ang and my assistant Will) looked for creativity and technical skill. Some of these pieces came close to placing, but we tried to keep the ages varied for our final winners. Below, we picked some of our favorites that I just wanted to share with you all:

Thomas’ piece would have likely placed, but we received it after submissions were closed. At only thirteen(!) years old, this fella shows A LOT of promise.

Five year-old Lily, sent us several pieces, but this simple, yet iconic, drawing of a unicorn melted our hearts.

Sandrine, an illustrator from France, rendered this variation of Allister the leprechaun from Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide.

Speaking of France, Stéphane sent us this awesome sketch of Mulgarath sitting on his tower steps from book 5.

Eleven year-old Gabe sent us this funny sketch of Hogsqueal and Byron (also from book 5). The look on Hoggy’s face is almost as funny as Jared (or is it Simon?) watching from the window.

Exploring the digital medium, Ellie sent us this cool colored version of Byron the griffin.

Summoning the spirit of Arthur Rackham, Aaron sent us a couple great images, but we loved this one of Thimbletack best.

In fact, the little brownie was quite a popular model for many. Check out Andrew’s interpretation.

Studying at the Accademia di Belle Arti of Venice, Leonardo found the time to do a couple of lavish renditions of his favorite creatures. Because the phooka is one of my favorite critters, I chose this one personally.

Last, but certainly not least, is nine year-old Allie’s colored drawing of Mal fighting off a goblin. Of course, she gets extra points for hand-lettering it.

Thank you all again for participating! I will be sending you all a signed postcard as well as a set of my custom “DiTerlizzi Studio” stickers…so make sure Angela has your mailing address.

And to those who did not place, please don’t fret: I will post the details of the “Design a Dragon” contest next week!

8 comments

Friday Fan Art- Spiderwick DVD Drawin’ Contest WINNERS!

June 27th, 2008 | Category: Contests, Friday Fan Art, Musings, Spiderwick Stuff

Once again THANK YOU all for entering on such a short notice. The competition was stiff with over 70 entries from all over the world! Angela and I judged on what wowed us through creativity, originality and technical skill. We had entries from all age ranges – from pre-schoolers to professional artists – and we were both truly touched by the time spent by all of you on participating.

But enough yammering, onto the winners!

Six-year old Ivy sent us several entries of her interpretations of some of the fantastic creatures in Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide. We couldn’t figure out if we liked her posing with the will-o-wisp drawing, or her manticore more, so here are both of these great renderings from a young promising talent.

Nine-year old Isaac also sent us his renditions of the fantastic creatures, but explored them stylistically by rendering them in different mediums(!) We liked his collage phoenix and pastel wood elf the best.

Annie, from nearby Northampton Mass., sent us this killer rendition of all her favorite characters and scenes. We really liked the anime influence on the kids.

Twelve-year old Margaret love, love, LOVES Hogsqueal! She sent us several scenes of her own invention involving my favorite hobgoblin, but it was this one from one of the General Mills “Lost Chapter” books that wowed us.

We received a number of wonderful pieces from young, up-and-coming professional artists. But Monika’s moody rendition of Mallory really captured the complexities of the heroine. Ang and I really felt her attachment to the character.

Our grand prize winner understood the spirit of Spiderwick and what my goal was with these books. Wen, from Costa Rica, sent in this luscious image of a tropical pixie that he recorded along with some great notations: “I present to you one of our endemic pixies, Aerisemen Spp….as you probably know, Costa Rica is part of the tropics, hence full of luscious rain forests that possess a wondrous biodiversity of flora, fauna and faery folk. Just like other pixies, ours mimic flowers and plants in their environment(s), but are characterized by a strong preference for exuberant adornment and most are much more ceremonial than their continental counterparts. Concerned with the cycle of life, a South American pixie will carry symbols of fertility, adopt forms from the reproductive parts of plants and seem to be most active during the transition period from the dry season to the rainy season. “

Seriously, how cool is that?

Congratulations to all of our Spiderwick DVD winners! Please confirm your mailing address by dropping a line to Angela at: angela@diterlizzi.com

Next Friday we will post some of the runner’s up and personal favs, which I will send some goodies too as well…stay tuned, and thanks again for all of your support!

15 comments

Friday Fan Art- Spiderwick DVD Drawin’ Contest

June 27th, 2008 | Category: Blogroll, Contests, Friday Fan Art

Hello All!

I just got back from the Post Office to pick up the remaining entries and “The Spiderwick DVD Drawin’ Contest” is officially closed. I can tell you Ang and I were BLOWN AWAY by the amount of entries and the awesomeness of the drawings as well! You guys ROCKED IT!

Angela, my faithful assistant Will, and yours truly will judge the entries this afternoon and post the winners tonight…stay tuned!

10 comments