Sponsored by the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA), Awesome Authors is one of the Ottawa Public Library’s longest-running and popular programs. The youth writing contest encourages young authors to submit creative writing to win awesome prizes, get published and share their talent with the world!
Any writer aged 9 to 18 and residing in Ottawa can submit their creative work between January 15 to February 28. You can submit a piece of original writing in the following categories: short story, poetry, comic, nouvelle, poésie, bande dessinée. One submission per person, per category and language. The online submission deadline is February 28, 2025, 11:59 pm.
For the past several years, OPL has added a special touch to the contest with the “book cover” category, which gives youth free rein to illustrate the cover of the anthology of winning entries. For those who are passionate about drawing and illustration, the “book cover” category is an opportunity to showcase their hidden talent.
As in previous years, the contest judges—Catherine Austen, Apollo the Child, Amelinda Bérubé, Pierre-Luc Bélanger and Éric Péladeau—will be hosting writing workshops where participants can gain valuable insights into the fundamentals of writing and explore various literary genres.
Workshops will be held online and at various Ottawa Public Library branches. Participants can sign up now for the following workshops:
For ages 9–12
- Comment devenir un super auteur, avec l’auteur Pierre-Luc Bélanger Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 2 pm to 3 pm, Greenboro branch
- Short Story Workshop with author Catherine Austen Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 2 pm to 3 pm, Stittsville branch
- How to become an awesome comic book writer with author Éric Péladeau Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 11 am to 12 pm, on Zoom
For ages 13–18
- Poetry Workshop with spoken word artist Apollo the Child Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 2 pm to 3 pm, Carlingwood branch
- Short Story Workshop with author Amelinda Bérubé Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 2 pm to 3 pm, on Zoom
Young authors, start writing! Enter the 2025 Awesome Authors contest to share your passion, ideas and feelings with the world.
Contest winners will be announced in May 2025. Winners of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will see their work published in an anthology that that will be published in late 2025. Winners of 1st place will also receive a Kobo Clara Colour eReader.
The Library would like to thank the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association, whose generosity makes this contest possible. For more information about the Awesome Authors contest, criteria and other details, visit the Awesome Authors youth writing contest web page.