Categories

All entries must be original and unpublished works. Entries must be written in English or French (translations are not eligible.)
All entries must fall within one of the following categories and be within the specified word count:

Short story (2000 - 2500 words)*

Creative nonfiction (2000 - 2500 words)*

Poetry (1000 - 2000 words)*

* Word count excludes titles. Texts above or below the specified word count are automatically disqualified.
Only the original content of the submission is counted, which excludes quotations and dedications.
See the FAQ for further details on how to count the words in your submission.

Creative nonfiction is a nonfiction category that includes humour writing, memoir, biography, essay (including personal essay), travel writing and feature articles. It involves writing about real events, people, or ideas, conveying your message through the use of literary techniques such as characterization, plot, setting, dialogue, narrative, and personal reflection. In works of creative nonfiction, the writer�s voice and opinion are evident. The work should be accessible to a general reading audience (i.e., not written for a specialized or academic audience.)

Poetry entries may take the form of a long narrative poem, a sequence of connected poems or a group of unconnected poems. Participants may submit as many entries as they wish in one or all categories. Note that a writer can win only one prize per category, and that each text may be submitted to only one category.
For each manuscript entered, participants must complete a separate official entry form.