Aspiring and experienced wordsmiths in Quesnel will have a new way to express their talents.
The annual short story contest will also include a poetry section.
Contestants will write a short story of under 500 words on the topic of ‘Freedom,’ and also can now submit an up to 80 line poem on the topic ‘It’s in our nature.’
Local author LGA McIntyre is one of the judges of the short story contest. She said the theme was chosen when it appeared COVID-19 was on the downswing. Now cases are on the rise across nearly all of Northern Health, including in Quesnel.
READ MORE: Quesnel COVID-19 hospital outbreak declared as cases rise in region
“It was one of those things that at the time seemed like a great idea,” McIntyre said with a chuckle.
“But I think we’re going to see all sorts of takes on that word. We’re seeing a lot of people who feel personal freedoms have been infringed upon because of the whole vaccination program, we see people who are looking as freedom as hurry up and get vaccinated so we can be free of it.”
The 2020 theme for the contest was ‘stranded.’
READ MORE: Quesnel’s short story contest has appropriate theme for 2020
Writers can download an entry form and see the formatting requirements at www.quesnelarts.ca. Forms are also available at the Quesnel Visitor Centre, Literacy Quesnel, Quesnel and District Arts and Recreation Centre and the Quesnel Library.
Entries must be submitted by Oct. 24 at midnight.
There are separate prize categories for youth and adults. First place is $75, second place is $50 and third place is $25, with additional awards for honourable mentions. Winners will also be published in the Quesnel Cariboo Observer.
Each contestant will also receive their story back with detailed feedback from the judges.
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com
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cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com
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