ISLANDS SHORT FICTION CONTEST RETURNS

The Nanaimo Arts Council and VIU's Department of Creative Writing and Journalism are once again sponsoring the Islands Short Fiction Contest, for writers of all ages living on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

Entries of up to 2,000 words are welcome in the categories of Adult (19 and over), Youth (13 to 18) and Junior (ages 12 and under). Cash and other prizes are awarded in all three categories. The winner of the Adult category also receives a bursary for a course in the VIU Creative Writing and Journalism Department.

The 2013 judge is nationally-acclaimed Victoria author Robert J. Wiersema, who currently teaches fiction-writing at VIU. Wiersema is the author of the novels *Before I Wake*, *The World More Full of Weeping*, and *Bedtime Story*, and also a well-known literary journalist.

Entry forms and deadlines are available on the [Nanaimo Arts Council website](http://www.nanaimoartscouncil.ca), or at the Nanaimo Arts Council Gallery (North Town Centre, 4750 Rutherford Road). The deadline for entries to be received is April 5th. Winners will be announced on April 25, 2013 at a reception at the Nanaimo Arts Council Gallery. For more information contact Sarah Schmidt, Nanaimo Arts Council, 250.729.3947, admin@nanaimoartscouncil.ca.