Draw and Win: Shojo Beat's Halloween Manga Art Contest

Shojo Beat magazine and Sakura of America is challenging aspiring artists to get into the Halloween spirit, manga-style. Just draw a Shojo Beat manga character in "a Halloween setting," send your drawing to Shojo Beat care of their Sakura / Halloween Art contest page and you just might win a set of art pens, markers and paint sets worth over $120, courtesy of Sakura of America. Will you draw Yuki and Kaname at a Vampire Knight Halloween soiree? Or how about Honey and Clover's Hagu or Haruka's Akane in a suitably silly or spooky costume? Don't take too long to decide what to draw -- entries are due by November 19, 2008.

There's lots more to enjoy in the October '08 issue of Shojo Beat, including:

• Sneak Peek of Captive Hearts by Matsuri Hino
  Now that American fans have fully fallen in love with Hino-sensei's Vampire Knight, Shojo Beat Manga is publishing one of her earlier series, Captive Hearts. Megumi is a high school guy who lives in a luxe house that his family inherited -- but his life of leisure comes to a end when the long-lost heir of the estate returns, and he discovers that he's cursed to serve her whether he likes it or not.
• Preview of New Manga Series, We Were There by Yuki Obata
  Nanami starts high school hoping to make new friends, and maybe fall in love. But when she meets and falls for popular, easy-going Motoharu, she discovers that he's actually not as happy-go-lucky as he seems.
• Free Shojo Beat Bookcover
  The winning design from the readers choice contest is now available as a pullout extra to cover your books in style.
• Recipes for Spooky Sweets and DIY How-Tos for a Pumpkin Pouch
  Shojo Beat is following through on their Halloween theme with recipes for Red Velvet Spider Web cookies, Spicy Pumpkin Seeds and Candy Sushi, and instructions to sew a cute pumpkin pouch.
• Profiles of Girugamesh and Hangry and Angry, Plus Photos of Design Festa
  See what's hot in Japan with articles spotlighting spooky J-Rock idols Girugamesh, cute goth kitty mascots Hangry and Angry, and photos from Design Festa.
• Meet Some Kawaii (cute) and Kowai (scary) Monsters
  From the original post-atomic monster Godzilla to some collectible ghosts from cool toy shop Super 7, Shojo Beat's editors introduces readers to some kowai and kawaii critters.

All that and the latest chapters of the Shojo Beat line-up of shojo manga romances, including Crimson Hero, Honey and Clover, Haruka, Sand Chronicles and Honey Hunt. Pick up your copy of Shojo Beat at your local bookshop or newsstand soon!