Awesome Authors Youth Writing Contest

A youth writing contest for ages 9–18, offering prizes, publication in an anthology, and workshops with local authors. Categories include short story, poetry, comic, nouvelle, poésie, and bande dessinée.

Benefits include:

• Publication in anthology of winning entries
• Invitation to celebratory book launch (Fall 2026)
• Prizes: Kobo Clara e‑reader for 1st place winners (alternate prize if already received in 2025 contest)
• Writing workshops with local authors and judges

• Ages 9–18, not yet graduated high school
• Must hold valid Ottawa Public Library card (resident, non‑resident, or Indigenous membership)
• One entry per category (short story, poetry, comic, nouvelle, poésie, bande dessinée)
• Submissions must be original, unpublished, and not AI‑generated (AI allowed only for spelling/grammar correction)
• Entries must follow format rules (≤1000 words for stories/poems; comics 1–3 pages, scanned at ≥400 dpi)
• Parent/guardian permission required if under 16
• In elementary school
• In high school