Aspiring Writers Shine in the Inaugural Student Only Fresh Ink Contest
TORONTO, ONT.-The Fresh Ink contest narrowed its focus this year: encouraging high school and university students. Two grand prize winners and five runners up across two age categories are being recognized for their achievement by The Word Guild. The contest was developed to encourage young writers to share their work with others and to provide them with feedback for their writing journey.
“It’s always a pleasure to read the fresh voices of our novice writing contest entrants; seeing their words dance on the page,” said our Fresh Ink judge, Mary Ann Benjamins, “Learning the skills of writing early and well is key, so if I can help, that’s just great!”
This year the entrants were asked to write on a theme of their own choosing and could submit fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or the first three chapters of their novel.
Executive Director Ruth Thorogood said, “Across Canada we are seeing increased quality and passion for writing from both university and high school students. The future of Christian writing is held in the hearts and minds of these young adults and youth. In encouraging them, we are furthering the cause of Christ across Canada.”
The Grand Prize winner from each category win free Saturday admission to Write Canada including a private lunch with a professional of their choice, cash prize of $100, and free membership to The Word Guild. Runners up receive free Saturday admission to Write Canada, cash prize of $25, and free membership to The Word Guild.
The Grand Prize winner and the runners up of the Fresh Ink contest will be recognized at the 2015 Word Awards gala. The gala dinner will be held at the end of Write Canada’s 31st annual conference, June 11-13 at Novotel, North York. Conference keynote speakers are Bill Fledderus Senior Editor of Faith Today and Cheryl Weber, reporter, TV host and producer at Crossroads International.
University Category
Grand Prize Winner:
Katie Witten of Ottawa for “Suspension.” (poetry)
Fiction short piece runner up:
Matthew Sketchley of Dartmouth, N.S. for “Heaven’s Call Waiting.”
Non-fiction short piece runner up:
Ruth Lemont of Wilsonville, Ont. for “Compassion.”
Poetry runner up:
Demi Blizzard of Whitby, Ont. for “The World they were Given.”
High school Category
Grand Prize Winner:
Emily Courtemanche of Barrie, Ont. for Castle in the Clouds
First Three Chapters runner up:
Shayna Granja of Mitchell, Ont. for Flight 182.
Poetry runner up:
Cameron Delaney of Otonabee, Ont. for “She Dreams.”
ABOUT THE WORD GUILD
The Word Guild is an association of Canadian writers, editors, speakers, publishers, booksellers, librarians, and other Christian individuals who are invested in or employed in media. From all parts of Canada and many denominational and cultural backgrounds, they are united in their common passion to positively influence individuals, and ultimately Canadian culture, through life-changing words that bring God’s message of hope.
For more information about The Word Guild, The Word Awards, other awards or other events please visit the contest page or visit www.thewordguild.com and click on Contests & Awards.
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