The Awesome Authors Youth Writing Contest for 2025 has now closed. Thank you to everyone for your submissions. We received over 270 contest entries this year. Well done! 

The judging period has begun.  Contest winners will be announced in May. 

This contest would not be possible without the generosity of the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association. 

A special thank you to our contest judges. 

Catherine Austen 

Catherine Austen writes for children, teens, and adults. Catherine’s books have won multiple awards. She has given writing workshops and presentations from coast to coast. You can find more about her on her website, and you can listen to her podcast of spooky stories here. 

Apollo the Child 

Apollo the Child is a Spoken Word poet, Hip Hop Artist, Radio Host, youth worker, events organizer and the current co-director of the Urban Legends Poetry Collective. Apollo is one half of the Hip Hop duo Poetic Elements with rapper/producer Masai. He has been active in the Ottawa arts scene since he was a teen. 

Amelinda Bérubé 

Amelinda Bérubé writes about ghosts and monsters and other things that go bump in the night. She is the author of two novels for young adults, The Dark Beneath the Ice and Bram Stoker Award nominee Here There Are Monsters. In her other lives, Amelinda is a mother of two and a passionate gardener. Find more about her on her website. 

Pierre-Luc Bélanger

Pierre-Luc Bélanger is an Ottawa-based author. He started writing when he was in grade 8. However, it took many years before he was able to realize his dream of being an author. Since 2013, he has published five young adults’ novels. Travel and outdoor sports are his passion and inspire him to write books. To learn more, check out his website. 

Éric Péladeau 

To this day, Eric Péladeau published over a hundred books and has collaborated to many magazines. Many of them were nominated or winners for awards. A writer, an illustrator and a graphic designer, public speaker and stand-up comedian, Éric is not afraid to take on new challenges. Visit his website, to find out more.