The Guelph Public Library and Vocamus Writers Community are partnering once again to offer teens in grades 7 through 12, living in Wellington County, the chance to be published in the Library’s 2023 Teen ETCH Anthology this June!

Interested participants can enter the Library’s 2023 Teen ETCH Creative Writing contest by submitting a short story and/or poetry piece in 1,500 words or less on the theme of “Rebirth.”

There is no entry fee required but all submissions must be received by email only to teens@guelphpl.ca by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023. Short story and poetry entries must be in your own original writing, 1,500 words or less, typed and single spaced. Please do not submit your stories as a PDF. Your submission must include the title of your story, your full name, school, grade, phone number and guardian’s name.

All submissions will be judged by Librarians and local industry professionals. Finalists will then be paired with a local author mentor in early April 2023, who will share creative writing techniques to help polish their submission for final judging. Winners shall be chosen based upon creativity, originality, style, grammar and spelling. The decision of the judges is final.

Prizes will be awarded for both short story and poetry submissions. 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. Downtown Guelph gift certificates will be presented in the amount of $40 for first, $25 for second and $20 for third place. Chances of winning are dependent on the number of completed entries received. Winners will be notified by mid-June during our Teen ETCH Anthology Book Launch.

What are you waiting for? Let the creative juices flow and start crafting your creative writing entry today!

For More Information:

Jeremy Luke Hill
Vocamus Writers Community Publisher and Managing Director

Meg Forestell-Page
Guelph Public Library Supervisor of Community Engagement