Writing Contest

Every year, the Vancouver Writers Fest launches a youth writing contest for both fiction and poetry.

The 2019 Youth Writing Contest is Now Open—last entries accepted May 31, 2019. 

Winners will receive a $200 cash prize. Submissions this year will be judged by award-winning writer Monique Gray Smith, author of Speaking Our Truth and Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience.

Entries will be accepted for previously unpublished short stories (fiction or non-fiction) of 1,500 words or less.

To submit your entry, use the below form:

2019 Youth Writing Contest

The Vancouver Writers Fest's annual youth writing contest is open to all students enrolled in grades 8-12 in British Columbia. Contestants can submit either fiction or non-fiction short stories. Participation is FREE.

  1. The contest is open to all writers enrolled in grades 8-12 who are attending a school or being taught in a home-school environment in British Columbia.
  2. Entries will be accepted for previously unpublished short stories (fiction or non-fiction): 1,500 word limit.
  3. Entries are judged blind. Please do not put your name on your story, in the file you have uploaded or in the file name.
  4. Entries must be submitted in MS Word or PDF formats. Please use standard margins, 12-point font and double spacing.
  5. Winners are selected by a panel of professionals from the publishing and book industry.
  6. Entries must be submitted between Friday, March 1 and 5pm on Friday, May 31, 2019.