The Fifth Annual Short Story Writing Contest is back this year.
The contest is open to anyone aged 12 to 18 in the youth category, and 19 and beyond in the adult category.
The rules of the contest are simple: they must be about the topic of injustice, they must be 500 words or less, there is only one entry per person, all entries must be typed, and the contest is only open to Quesnel and area residents (for reference, those who live within the boundaries of School District 28).
“We have many wonderful writers in Quesnel, and we just like to see more writers come on board,” says Bernice Heinzelman, one of the organizers of the contest.
The first-place winner in each age category will receive a prize of $75, with $50 and $25 prizes going to the second and third-place winners respectively.
Entries are due by April 5, 2019, at 9 p.m., and the winners will be awarded on April 25 at 7 p.m. at the Quesnel Library.
There will be refreshments served at the event, as well as a public reading at the event.
The winning submissions will also be published in the Quesnel Cariboo Observer.
RELATED: Winning stories from Quesnel’s fourth annual writing contest
The contest is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Literacy Quesnel, Quesnel and District Community Arts Council, The Quesnel Wordspinners, and the B.C. Arts Council.
The stories will be judged on whether the story draws the judges in, how exciting or moving it is, whether the judges feel like they’ve learned something or gained insight, and whether or not the entry tells a convincing story. All the stories are submitted to the judges without any names or information on them.
Each submission, regardless of if it wins, will receive detailed comments from the judging panel.
Over the years, says Heinzelman, they’ve seen an improvement in the story submissions, as many participants utilize the feedback they received in years prior.
To register for the contest, download a registration for at https://www.quesnelarts.com/ or pick one up from an art bulletin board at the Quesnel and District Arts and Recreation Centre, the Quesnel Library, the Quesnel Visitor Centre or Literacy Quesnel. Submission details are included on the form.
For more information, contact Bernice Heinzelman at 250-747-1727 or bheinzel@quesnelbc.com.