Ottawa – Calling all young and creative Ottawans — starting December 1, you are invited to compose a poem, short story, or comic for the Ottawa Public Library’s Awesome Authors youth writing contest!
If you are between the ages of 9 and 17 and have things to say, express yourself! Put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard, activate your voice and share your vision. Showcase your talent, creativity, and fresh ideas by submitting a poem, short story, or comic before the contest deadline of February 19, 2018.
And if you are looking for reasons to participate, look no further than these words from a past Awesome Authors winner: “This contest is a perfect opportunity for youth to express themselves, to share their ideas with others, and to show what they can do! I’ve learned to never underestimate my talents, I’ve learned how to set goals, and how to synthesize my text and prioritize my ideas”.
The OPL is keen to spur you on in this writing adventure, whether you are already a budding author or trying out for the first time. Several workshops with established authors are planned to help you create your poem, short story, or comic:
Writing Workshops
For ages 13-17
- Saturday, December 16: Poetry with Apollo the Child - Rosemount branch
- Saturday, February 10: Short Story with Katherine Battersby - Centennial branch
- Saturday, February 10: Comics/Bandes dessinées with Eric Péladeau – Cumberland branch (bilingual)
- Saturday, December 16: Poésie et nouvelles with Michel Lavoie- Orléans branch (in French)
For ages 9-12
- Friday,January 26 : Poetry with Apollo the Child- Ruth E. Dickinson branch
- Friday, January 26: Short Story with Catherine Austen – Greenboro branch
- Friday, January 26: Comics/Bandes dessinées with Eric Péladeau – Main branch (bilingual workshop)
- Friday, January 26: Poésie et nouvelles with Michel Lavoie- (in French) Beaverbrook branch
Entries must be submitted electronically on the contest webpage, or in person at your local branch. All the details of the Awesome Authors contest rules can be found online at biblioottawalibrary.ca/AwesomeAuthors.
Awesome Authors winners will be revealed and receive their prizes at a ceremony on March 27, 7:00 p.m. at Centrepointe Theatre.
This contest is sponsored by the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA) who publish pot-pourri, an annual anthology of the winning Awesome Authors poems and stories, and comics. pot-pourri makes a great Christmas gift! To get your copy, visit the FOPLA website at OttawaPublicLibraryFriends.ca.
The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is the largest bilingual (English/French) public library system in North America, with 34 branches, physical and virtual at BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca, mobile libraries, and a vending machine library service. OPL’s mission is to inspire learning, spark curiosity, and connect people. Follow us on Twitter Twitter.com/OPL_BPO and like us on Facebook Facebook.com/BiblioOttawaLibrary. Contact us at 613-580-2940 or InfoService@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca. If it’s out there, it’s in here!
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