Vancouver Writers Fest: Youth Writing Contest 2025

Recently, I posted about the Sheree Fitch Prize for teen writers in New Brunswick. So I'm very pleased to share a writing contest for youth from the West Coast. Vancouver Writers Fest also has a writing contest but for BC youth in Grades 5 through 12. Details for entering the contest are posted below as well as VWF website at https://writersfest.bc.ca/youth/youth-writing-contest.

 

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WHO MAY ENTER?

There are two contests open for submissions:

• An elementary school youth writing contest is open to students in Grades 5-7 (in school or home-schooled) who reside in British Columbia
• A high school youth writing contest is open to BC students in Grades 8-12 (also either in school or home-schooled)

 

 

WHAT TO SUBMIT?

The contest is looking for previously unpublished short stories and personal essays: 

• 1,000 word limit (for the elementary school youth writing contest) 
• 1,500 word limit (for the high school youth writing contest)

Formats for entries:

• Use .doc, .docx, or .pdf files
• Use standard margins, 12-point font and double spacing. 
• Do not put your name anywhere in the file itself or in the file name. (Judging is blind.) 

 

 

HOW TO ENTER?

Submit by the deadline of Saturday, May 31, 2025 through the following links:

• For the elementary school youth writing contest: https://writersfest.bc.ca/elementary-school-contest-entry
• For the high school youth writing contest: https://writersfest.bc.ca/high-school-contest-entry

(Links are also posted on the VWF website at https://writersfest.bc.ca/youth/youth-writing-contest) 

HOW WILL SUBMISSIONS BE JUDGED?

Entries will be judged blind. (So don't put your name anywhere in the file uploaded or even in the file name. Your name will be linked through your entry form at the links above.)

 

This year's judges are:

• Jamie Fong, Children’s Librarian at Vancouver Public Library (for the elementary school youth writing contest)
• Shannon Ozirny, Head of Youth Services at the West Vancouver Memorial Library (for the high school youth writing contest)

 

 

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?

For the elementary school youth writing contest:

• First prize winner receives $100 and publication in the VWF Books & Ideas Newsletter, plus social media shout-out, and a certificate from Vancouver Writers Fest
• Second prize winner receives $50 and publication in the Books & Ideas Newsletter, and a certificate from Vancouver Writers Fest

For the high school youth writing contest:

• First prize winner receives $200 and publication in the Books & Ideas Newsletter, plus social media shout-out, and a certificate from Vancouver Writers Fest
• Second prize winner receives $100 and publication in the Books & Ideas Newsletter, and a certificate from Vancouver Writers Fest

 

Good luck to all young writers in British Columbia!