Do you have a flair for writing, a talent for telling a good story, and the desire to express your ideas with the world? Well then, on your mark, get set… write! The Ottawa Public Library is calling all wannabe writers and authors to take part in the 2020-2021 Awesome Authors writing contest! The contest is open for submissions, in English or French, from December 2, 2020, to February 26, 2021. Participants in two age groups, ages 9 to 12 and 13 to 18, are invited to submit an original piece of writing in one of the following categories: comic, poem, short story, bandes dessinées, poèmes and nouvelles.
Again this year, the Library is offering on-line workshops led by local authors to encourage aspiring authors and support the exploration of new skills. Published regional authors will share their tips, insights and advice with contest participants. These workshop leaders are the same passionate and enthusiastic authors who will be on the panel to choose the best works to select this year’s winners. Hurry to register for the workshops – the dates and times are on the OPL website.
February 26, 2021 is the deadline to submit your work. Each participant may submit one piece in each of the 6 categories: comic, poem, short story, bandes dessinées, poèmes and Nouvelles. In the case of comics, submission co-authored by two participants will be accepted. Entries may be submitted electronically through the Awesome Author’s web page, or in person at any open Library branch during opening hours and at the Bookmobile stop.
Contest winners (including honourable mentions) will be announced online. They will be awarded cash prizes, and the winning entries in each category will be published in Pot-pourri, the annual anthology published and printed by the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library (FOPLA). Visit FOPLA’s website to get a copy of the last year’s anthology.
The Awesome Authors contest is made possible thanks to FOPLA’s generous support. FOPLA has sponsored the contest for many years now and is thrilled to offer kids and teens this opportunity to practice the craft of writing and explore creative expression and composition.
Young denizens of Ottawa, the pen is in your hand: let the (word) games begin! Give it everything you’ve got! For more information on the contest, visit https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/awesome-authors.