The original contest guidelines:
Tell us your story! Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, how do you and Vancouver know each other? The city is the place, but your place in it is what matters. You may be a professional or amateur writer. Suggested topical avenues might be: why you live in Vancouver or what you love here. Tell us about yourself, your family, friends, work or community.
Your submission can be serious, humorous or touch both genres. Strong consideration will be given to insightful personal narratives. That hidden path in Stanley Park might be good material, but winning writers will give us a window into knowing some part of themselves and their human connections. We want to hear your voice. Quality of writing, social integration and depth of character are what we’re most interested in.
Are you a dog walker, lawyer, pedicurist, or activist? What do you care about? Did you recently lose a loved one or just give birth? Why are you here? Did you graduate from school or check into rehab? What stirs your passions? Are you angry, happy, fearful or optimistic? Did you raise your red-mitten hands in 2010 or torch a cop car in 2011? You can dip into the dark side but take us on a journey of hope. That’s a lot for an essay but therein lies the challenge. We want to hear from you.
500 – 1000 words unpublished material, non-fiction only. You may submit more than one essay. There is no entry fee.
Deadline date is July 15th, 2014 11:59 pm. Please submit earlier if possible so we might have more time to read. Early birds appreciated! Depending on the quantity of submissions received, a certain number of qualifying essays will be posted on-line by September 15th, 2014 at which time you, your friends, family and network will be able to vote on-line for your favourite writer. Qualifying voting ends on October 15th, 2014, at which time the 10 essays that receive the most votes will advance as Semi-finalists. Semi-finalist voting on the top 10 submissions will run until October 30th, 2014. With consideration of the public voting, a panel of judges will vote on the three winners who will then be announced.
Please direct all questions to: [email protected] This event is sponsored by Ken Wyder to support writers in their craft, encourage civic engagement, and help build community by sharing interesting local stories and personalities with others. You can learn more about Ken by visiting his homepage.