Whether you’re an established or emerging writer, the annual Askew’s Word on the Lake Writing Contest has a place for you. Part of the Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival, the contest is open to submissions in short fiction (up to 2,000 words), nonfiction (up to 2,000 words), and poetry (up to three poems of one page each).
The Shuswap Association of Writers is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 contest!
In the fiction category, judged by David Brown:
- First Place: “For the Forest” by Sherry Cassells
- Second Place: “For King and Conscience” by Juliet Hill
- Honourable Mention: “The Canary’s Cry” by Jack Dowd
In the nonfiction category, judged by Chris Brauer:
- First Place: “Beyond Time’s Reach” by Matthew Heneghan
- Second Place: “Rainy Day Treasures” by Jill Martin
- Honourable Mention: “Invisible” by Kristine Laco
In the poetry category, judged by Sheri-D Wilson:
- First Place: “A House of Doors” by Pamela Medland
- Second Place: “In St Mary’s Parish” by Lindsay Curry
- Honourable Mention: “It Depends on How You Look at It” by Charlotte Blair
Thank you so much to everyone who entered, for your amazing creativity and your ongoing support of Word on the Lake. And thank you as always to contest sponsor Askew’s Foods, and prize sponsor Simon Fraser University and the Writer’s Studio at SFU.
The submission period for next year’s contest runs from January 2 to January 31, 2025, so mark your calendars. As always, prizes will be awarded to three winners in all three categories of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry:
- $200 for First Place in each category, plus a festival registration package
- $125 for Second Place in each category, plus a festival banquet package
- $100 for Honourable Mention in each category, plus a festival banquet package
Winning entries from each year are published as trade paperback and ebook in the Askew’s Word on the Lake Anthology. Everyone who enters the contest receives a copy of the anthology in ebook format (epub, mobi, and PDF), and each contest winner also receives the anthology in print. Anthologies can be purchased at the festival and online.
Any queries about the contest should be directed to [email protected] with ‘Writing Contest Questions’ in the subject line of your email.