Short Story Contest

The Inkwell Literary Festival Short Story Contest is FREE and open to all aspiring writers aged 14–24, as well as 25+, in Ontario

 

Eligibility & Requirements

• Stories must be written between January and June 2025

• Accepted genres: Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction

• Word count: Up to 2,000 words

• Prohibited content: Extreme violence, erotica, or any explicit material

• Originality: Submissions must be the entrant’s own work. Plagiarism or AI-generated content will result in immediate disqualification

• Proof of eligibility: A valid student ID, driver’s license or other government-generated photo ID

• Format: Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced with cover page including title and name of applicant

• Limit: One (1) submission per applicant

 

Key Dates

• Contest opens: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

• Submission deadline: Monday, June 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM (EST)

• Winners announced: Saturday, October 4, 2025, in person at the Inkwell Literary Festival Awards Ceremony at the Civic Centre Resource Library in Vaughan

 

All entrants are encouraged to attend the Short Story Contest Awards Ceremony in person

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Prizes

Winners in the Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Adult categories will receive recognition, awards, and an opportunity to showcase their work at the Inkwell Literary Festival!​

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For questions, email info@inkwellfest.com​

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We can’t wait to read your stories and celebrate your talent!