It’s the end of the school year which signals the beginning of summer. While some folks are planning summer fun, I am thinking about the Shawville Fair – and particularly – the 2nd year of the writing competition.We had an amazing inaugural year last year and we are planning some interesting improvements for this year which will include: improving the display setup for the entries, having an Open Mic time slot, allowing entrants to read their works to an audience and, finally, an amazing new judge.
CATEGORIES AND ENTRIES. There is a limit of 1000 words or 2 pages per entry with no age restrictions or language separations; French and English entries will be judged in the same categories. The categories are: Fiction; Non-Fiction; Science Fiction/Fantasy; Opinion/Editorial; Poetry; and finally, using a writing prompt, where the entry can be done in any writing style but the first sentence must be or include “she went out the wrong door”. Again this year the West Quebec Literary Council has sponsored the “Best in Show” award with a prize of $200.
For the complete rules go to the Shawville Fair website:
English: http://www.shawvillefair.ca/fairbooks/pdfs/2024/Section1-7-Homecrafts_2024.pdf, the relevant section is 3B.
French: http://www.shawvillefair.ca/fairbooks/pdfs/2024/Section1-7-Aliments-et-conserves_2024.pdf, also section 3B.
THE JUDGE. We are privileged to have someone with impeccable credentials to be our judge for the writing competition this year. Lily Ryan has deep local roots in our Pontiac community and over her working career she has been a writer, editor and publisher in both English and French. Lily is currently the publisher of the Aylmer Bulletin, The West Quebec Post, the Bulletin de Gatineau and the Pontiac Journal; she is going to be an amazing addition to the writing competition in the position of judge.
This has the potential to be a lot of fun. If you have any questions, the best way to contact me is via email at mccann.thomas.david@gmail.com or through Facebook Messenger. If you are feeling inquisitive, check out the 26 Lettres Facebook page which is the page for a
local writer’s group.
Tom McCann
Clarendon
