February 15, 2016 - 2:30pm
Submitted by Nanaimo Arts Council
Over $2000 in cash and prizes will once again be awarded to Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands writers as the Islands Short Fiction Contest returns for 2016.
Co-sponsored by the Nanaimo Arts Council, the Vancouver Island Regional Library, and the Vancouver Island University Department of Creative Writing and Journalism, the contest seeks entries of up to 2000 words in three categories: Adult (19 and over), Youth (13 to 18), and Junior (12 and under).
The competition drew over 100 entries last year, with winners and finalists hailing from Fanny Bay, Nanaimo, Salt Spring Island, and Victoria, among other communities. “The islands are hotbeds of literary talent,” says Nanaimo Arts Council Executive Director Sarah Schmidt, “and the contest has become an opportunity to celebrate the many writers of all ages who make them their home.
“And we’re particularly pleased that this year we’ve been able to lower the barrier for young people to participate, by removing the entry fees for the Junior and Youth categories.” The winner of the Youth category will be published in the anthology “In Our Own Voice – 2016” from Rebel Mountain Press, and first-, second-, and third-place stories in all categories will be published on the ISFC website.
Judge of the Adult category this year is VIU Creative Writing instructor and bestselling novelist Robert Wiersema, while VIRL librarians Jennifer Seper and Justin Unrau will judge the Junior and Youth submissions.
The entry deadline is March 21, 2016. Entry forms are available at isfc.ca and at the Nanaimo Arts Council Creative Space (#4 Commercial St., Nanaimo). A $20 fee is charged per adult entry. Winners will be announced at a reception in Nanaimo in April.
For further information, email admin@isfc.ca or phone 250-729-3947 (Nanaimo). The winning entries in the 2014 and 2015 Islands Short Fiction Contests can be read at http://isfc.ca/
The Islands Short Fiction Contest is made possible by support from the Province of British Columbia and the City of Nanaimo.
Contact: Sarah Schmidt
Nanaimo Arts Council
250-729-3947
Contest website: isfc.ca
Tags: In the Community
