Contest offers opportunity to publish writing in Teen ETCH anthology

GUELPH – The Guelph Public Library and Vocamus Writers Community are partnering once again to offer Wellington County and Guelph teens the chance to be published in their 2024 Teen ETCH Anthology this June. 

Students in Grades 7 to 12 can submit short stories or poetry pieces that focus on the theme of “Eras.” 

Submissions must be emailed to teens@guelphpl.ca by 9pm on March 31.

Entries must be original writing, 1,500 words or less, typed and single spaced. 

Submissions must include a title, the author’s full name, school, grade, phone number and guardian’s name.

Submissions will be judged by librarians and local industry professionals. 

Finalists will be paired with a local author mentor in April 2024, who will share creative writing techniques to help polish their submission for final judging. 

Judging criteria includes creativity, originality, style, grammar and spelling. 

The top three short story entries in each of the following categories: Grades 7 to 8, Grades 9 to 10 and Grades 11 to 12 will receive prizes along with the top three poetry selections over all grade categories. Prize values are $40 for first, $30 for second and $20 for third place. 

Winners will be announced during the Teen ETCH Anthology Book Launch on June 1.