St. Lawrence Writers Festival Launches High School Writing Contest for Grades 10-12 Throughout the Region

Brockville — The St. Lawrence Writers Festival has invited local high school students to put pen to paper and share their stories in its 2026 High School Writing Contest.

“This contest is about giving young writers a platform,” says Rod Carley, local Award-winning author and festival co-chair. “We know there’s incredible talent in our schools, and we can’t wait to read their work.”

The festival is launching this new initiative to celebrate the talent and imagination of the students in our region. The contest is open to students in Grades 10–12 in ten high schools across Leeds and Grenville.

The writing contest hopes to challenge young writers to craft an original short story (1,000–1,500 words) beginning with one of five compelling opening lines from: “I didn’t see it coming” to “They came over the hill.” The goal is to spark imagination and showcase voices emerging from local classrooms.

Submissions are due June 1, 2026, with winners to be announced June 15, 2026.

Top entries will receive standout recognition, including publication in the Recorder & Times and passes to attend the 2026 St. Lawrence Writers Festival, taking place September 10–13, 2026.

OVERVIEW: ST. LAWRENCE WRITERS FESTIVAL HIGH SCHOOL WRITING CONTEST:

Deadline for Submissions: June 1, 2026

Email for Submissions: stlawrencewritersfestival@gmail.com

Grade categories: 10-12

Announcement of Winners: June 15, 2026

Word count: Stories can be from 1000 – 1500 words.

How to Enter:

1. Only English language stories can be accepted.
2. No AI permitted.
3. If this is presented to students as a class project, the festival asks that a selection be made by the class/teacher of the top 10 stories only for submission to the contest.
4. Stories can be submitted by email to stlawrencewritersfestival@gmail.com with subject line Story Contest Submission from (Name) & (School).

Theme:

The story must start with one of the following story prompts:

1. I didn’t see it coming.
2. I could see them staring at me.
3. I should never have looked at their phone.
4. They came over the hill.
5. I swore I would never tell anyone what really happened.

Prizes:

1st Prize:

• *Publication in the Recorder and Times Newspaper
• Two weekend passes to the St. Lawrence Writers Festival September 10-13, 2026

2nd Prize:

• *Publication in the Recorder and Times Newspaper
• Two day passes to the St. Lawrence Writers Festival for Saturday September 12, 2026

3rd Prize:

• *Publication in the Recorder and Times Newspaper
• Two day passes for the St. Lawrence Writers Festival for Saturday September 12, 2026

*Publication Requirements:

1. Photo is requested for publication in the newspaper.
2. No obscenity or sexually explicit content can be published. No racially offensive, sexist or homophobic/transphobic content will be accepted.
3. Publication will take place on subsequent days (one story per newspaper)

Teacher Contact Person:

Katherine Hobbs Tel: 613-325-8927. E-Mail: stlawrencewritersfestival@gmail.co