On your mark, get set, write: starting December 1, young Ottawans are invited to create a poem, a short story, or a comic for the Ottawa Public Library’s Awesome Authors youth writing contest! Are you between the age of 9 and 17 and have things to say? Sharpen your pencil (or ready your keyboard) and get your imagination flowing — this contest is for you! Submit your poem, your short story, or—new this year—your comic, in English or in French, before the contest deadline of February 13, 2017.
Why should you participate? In the words of a past Awesome Authors winner: “This contest is a perfect opportunity for youth to express themselves, to share their ideas with others, and to show what they can do! I’ve learned to never underestimate my talents, I’ve learned how to set goals, and how to synthesize my text and prioritize my ideas”.
Several workshops are planned to help you create your poem, short story, or comic:
For ages 9-12
January 27: Poésie et nouvelles (Sylvie Frigon) - St. Laurent
January 30: Poetry (Caroline Pignat) - Hazeldean
January 30: Short stories (Catherine Austen) – Ruth E. Dickinson
January 30 : Comics/Bandes dessinées (Éric Péladeau) – Beaverbrook
For ages 13-17
January 27: Poésie et nouvelles (Sylvie Frigon) - Cumberland
January 30: Poetry (Caroline Pignat) – Carlingwood
January 30: Short Stories (Catherine Austen) – Greenboro
January 30: Comics (Éric Péladeau) – North Gloucester
Entries must be submitted electronically on the contest webpage, or in person at your local branch. All the details of the Awesome Authors contest rules can be found at biblioottawalibrary.ca/AwesomeAuthors.
Awesome Authors winners will be revealed and receive their prizes at a ceremony on March 28, 7:00 p.m. at Centrepointe Theatre.
This contest is sponsored by the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA) who publishpot-pourri, an annual anthology of the winning Awesome Authors poems and stories, and new this year, comics. pot-pourri makes a great Christmas gift! To get your copy, visit the FOPL
