Adults may not type, revise, edit, design, or tamper with the author's book design, writing, or illustrations in any way. To do so constitutes fraud. Adults maintain the role of consultant to the author through such tactics as conferences or Author's Chair. Adults may ask questions and elicit information from the author concerning the writing in progress or any part of the creation of the book. However, the author makes the final decision regarding the manuscript, from the selection of topic to the final draft.
Invented spellings are acceptable.
Use common sense in helping the author use conventional spelling. If the invented spelling is one commonly used at the author's age, then it is acceptable in the final manuscript. Honorable mention will be awarded to participants whose entries do not qualify due to not following state rules for the awards. Holistic evaluation will be utilized by the judges to determine awards. Books will be judged on total impressions including content, organization, sensory detail, word choice, grammar, mechanics, attractiveness, universal language usage, sense of story, originality, and format.