Short Story Contest

WRITE ON!

Welcome to the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library’s Short Story Contest

Have you ever dreamed of becoming an author or publishing a book? Whether you’re a writing pro or just looking to see what you can do, now is your chance!

If you live or go to school in Innisfil and are in Grades 3-12, you’re invited to enter the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library’s annual Short Story Contest.  

Canadian Children’s author, Erin Bow* is this year’s judge.  This is your chance to have your story read by a published author! Not sure where to get started? Click here for inspiration and guidance from 2020’s judge Naseem Hrab!

There are fantastic prizes to be won! Winners receive plaques, gift cards, and printed anthologies of the winning stories. The best overall story will also win the Seepe Walters Award, a $500 grand prize. 

So what are you waiting for?  Enter now!  

Book covers for The Scorpion Rules, The Swan Riders, and Simon Sort Of Says, head shot of Erin Bow, book covers for Stand on the Sky, Plain Kate, and Sorrow's Knot
*Erin Bow is an award-winning writer, born in Iowa and now based in Kitchener-Waterloo. She studied particle physics in University and still works as a science writer, along with her novels and poetry! Her novels have earned many nominations and honors, but she’s particular proud to have earned the Newberry Honor, the Governor General’s Award for Youth People’s Literature, the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, and the Monica Hughes Award Honoring Canadian Literature of the Fantastic – among others. We can’t wait to learn from this incredible author!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Deadline: Friday, October 25, 2024, at midnight

Are there page limits? Yes! 

Grades 3-6 (junior division):
Minimum 1 page (250 words), maximum of 4 pages (1000 words)

Grades 7-8 (intermediate division):
Minimum 2 pages (500 words), maximum of 8 pages (2000 words)

Grades 9-12 (senior division):
Minimum 3 pages (750 words), maximum of 12 pages (3000 words)

Are there specific rules? Yes!

  • Original fiction only, please
  • Type your story in 12-point font
  • Submit your story electronically as a Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Open Office (.odt) document using the webform below (No PDFs please)
  • Do not include your name on any of the pages of your story (this information is collected through the entry form)

Please note: if you are having difficulties submitting your story using the form below, please email it instead to aeastwood@innisfilidealab.ca. Please ensure that the body of the email includes all the information required by the form below, including your acknowledgment of the content’s rules, and that your story is attached in one of the following formats: .doc, .docx, or .odt (open office).

Ready to enter?
Fill out the form below, upload your story and hit submit! It’s that easy. Good luck!

*Please confirm the spelling of your name as this is how it will appear for prizing.

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

How do I know if I’ve won? 
Five finalists from each category will be notified in early January. Due to the large number of entries we receive, only winners will be notified. Whether or not your story wins a prize this year, you are still a winner for having the courage to put your story out into the world. Keep being brave, keep believing in yourself, and keep writing! We look forward to reading more of your work!

Let’s Celebrate! 
Winners will be announced in January 2025.

PAST WINNERS

Go on, take a look! You’ll be amazed at the talent and creativity you’ll find here.