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About the contest
The Awesome Authors Youth Writing Contest gives young writers, between the ages of 9 and 18, the chance to win awesome prizes, get published and share their talent with the world!
This contest would not be possible without the generosity of the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association.
Awesome Authors 2025
Contest rules and regulations specific to Awesome Authors contest. This contest is also subject to the Ottawa Public Library’s Contest Rules: OPL contest rules | Ottawa Public Library
- The contest starts January 15, 2025.
- Submissions will be accepted until Friday, February 28, 2025, 11:59 pm.
- Open to all youth residing in Ottawa, ages 9 to 18 (must not yet have completed high school) with a valid library card.
- Submission by outside residents with a non-resident card (family membership) will be accepted.
- There is a limit of one (1) entry per person, per category. The seven categories are: short story, poetry, comic, nouvelle, poésie, bande dessinée and book cover.
- Winners will be notified by email in May. Please use an email inbox that you are monitoring regularly.
All submissions must:
- include the title of the piece on each page;
- not include the author’s name within the submission or file name;
- be new, original, previously unpublished work;
- not use AI generation for ideas, writing or art;
- be in French or English;
- be submitted electronically through the form on this page;
Poems and short stories must be:
- 1000 words or less;
- typed and submitted electronically;
- written by a single author.
Comics must be:
- drawn on one of the OPL templates, printed on one side of an 8.5” x 11” page; OR created with a computer software using 8.5" x 11" format and following the OPL templates;
- original drawings only;
- one to three pages maximum;
- scanned (must be at least 400X400dpi - photo will not be accepted) and/or saved as a PDF, JPG or PNG files and submitted electronically directly on this webpage;
- created by one author/illustrator, or two co-authors/illustrators.
Book cover must be:
- drawn on one of the OPL templates, printed on one side of an 8.5” x 11” page; OR created with a computer software using 8.5" x 11" format and following the OPL templates;
- completed with a space for a title featuring a single background colour that is free of all other design elements;
- original drawings only;
- designed by a single illustrator.
Please remember:
- Complete the online entry form once for each entry (if entering multiple categories).
- All winning entries will be checked for plagiarism and use of AI.
- Entries that do not follow the above guidelines will be disqualified without notice.
Get writing tips
Register for a workshop hosted by a local author, and contest judge! They will share their knowledge and experience with you! You can also visit our YouTube Channel to discover other tips from our judges.
For ages 9-12
Comment devenir un super auteur, avec l’auteur Pierre-Luc Bélanger
Saturday January 25, 2025 from 2 pm to 3 pm
Short Story Workshop with author Catherine Austen
Saturday February 8, 2025 from 2 pm to 3 pm
How to become an awesome comic book writer with author Éric Péladeau
Saturday February 8, 2025 from 11 am to 12 noon
Comment devenir un super bédéiste avec l’auteur Éric Péladeau
Saturday February 8, 2025 from 2 pm to 3 pm
For ages 13-18
Poetry Workshop with spoken word artist Apollo The Child
Saturday January 25, 2025 from 2 pm to 3 pm
Short Story Workshop with author Amelinda Bérubé
Saturday February 22, 2025 from 2 pm to 3 pm
Meet the judges
Our awesome judges are all local authors, and you will have the opportunity to connect with and learn from these mentors through the workshops.
Catherine Austen
Catherine Austen writes for children, teens, and adults. Her short stories have appeared in literary journals and anthologies and her books have won multiple awards. Catherine is a literacy tutor for Sage Youth and a mentor for the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators. She has given writing workshops and presentations from coast to coast. She also recently created a podcast of spooky stories you can listen to online.
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.
Pierre-Luc Bélanger
Pierre-Luc Bélanger is an Ottawa author who has published several novels and short stories for teens. His works have garnered many nominations and literary awards. He hopes to share a love for reading and writing with youth. Pierre-Luc finds inspiration through travelling, spending time outdoors and going on everyday adventures.
Éric Péladeau
To this day, Eric Péladeau has published over a hundred books and has contributed 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.
Prizes
- Winners of 1st, 2nd or 3rd place will see their work published in an anthology featuring the winning entries.
- Winners of 1st place will receive a Kobo Clara Colour e-reader.
- If the 1st place comic entry was created by co-authors (comic book authors only) the two authors will each receive an e-reader.
- A participant can submit one work in each category but can only receive one physical prize. For example, a prize of 1st place in the BD category and 1st place in the Short Story category, would result in the single prize of an e-reader.
All submissions must be submitted via the webform. If you would like help with the online form, please visit your local OPL branch, Bookmobile stop or call InfoService (613-580-2940) during operating hours for assistance. Scanning is available at any library branch. If you are under the age of 16, permission from a parent/guardian is required to participate.