THUNDER BAY – With the competition open until Feb. 29, writers from around the world can submit their stories to NOWW's 26th annual international writing contest.
Meagan Stockwell, contest coordinator for the Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop, said the contest holds a special place in the hearts of people in Northwestern Ontario.
"We look forward to an array of narratives that capture the essence of our community and our northern landscape," Stockwell said.
“Having the contest open nationally and internationally provides an opportunity for growth, as well as an opportunity for NOWW members to gain national exposure through participation in the contest.
"Being part of a competition with a reach beyond our local community opens doors to new audiences, potential collaborations, and networking opportunities. This exposure can prove invaluable for NOWW members and writers seeking to expand their reach and connect with literary communities on a broader scale,” Stockwell said.
Writers can submit a variety of literary forms in four categories - short fiction, poetry, critical review, and the Bill MacDonald Prize for Prose in Nonfiction.
“NOWW takes pride in fostering inclusivity by welcoming entries across genres, from popular culture writing to slam poetry, travel writing, and Indigenous literature. This approach ensures that writers engaging in less traditional literary forms have a platform to showcase their unique voices and perspectives," she said.
Stockwell said whatever form of writing a contestant chooses to submit, the final decision is up to the panel of judges to pick the winner.
“Our judges are accomplished Canadian writers, experts in their respective fields. Emphasizing individual perspectives, they evaluate submissions based on their criteria, recognizing the inherent subjectivity in literary judgment,” Stockwell said.
This year's judges include Canada Reads 2021 Finalist author Natalie Zina Walschots, author of Hench; author and poet Kayla Czaga, whose work was short-listed for the Governor General’s Award for Poetry; Kyle Wyatt, editor-in-chief of the Literary Review of Canada; and Susan Goldberg, whose work appears in the New York Times, Toronto Life, Lilith, CBC, and many other places, including the 50th-anniversary anthology of Ms. Magazine.
"By featuring judges with diverse expertise, NOWW embraces a wide spectrum of writing styles and genres, creating an inclusive space that celebrates the richness of Canadian literary expression, and with the inclusion of the Bill MacDonald Prize for Prose, an emphasis on Northwestern Ontario specifically," Stockwell said.
“This commitment to diversity aligns with NOWW's mission to provide opportunities and recognition for writers across a broad range of genres and forms, ultimately contributing to a dynamic and inclusive literary community."
Submission guidelines and additional details can be found on the Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop website: www.nowwwriters.ca.
