OTTAWA — Who hasn’t dreamed of being published at a young age? Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is making that dream a reality for youth aged 9 to 18 through our annual Awesome Authors writing contest. Young people from the Ottawa region with a valid library card are invited to submit original works in the following three categories: short story, poetry, comics. Submissions open on Monday, January 12.

Winners of the 1st prize will have their work published in an anthology and also receive a Kobo Clara e-reader.

Please note that, unlike previous years, the cover design for the anthology will not be part of this year’s contest. The 2025 contest winners were featured in the final edition of the Pot-pourri anthology, and the collection will return under a new title—Carte blanche. This name, evoking freedom, encourages participants to unleash their imagination and creativity without restraint or censorship.

This year, the Awesome Authors contest invites young writers to channel their emotions through art, put their aspirations on paper, and embrace the liberating power of literary creation.

With literacy at the heart of OPL’s mission, this contest is an essential opportunity for the youth in our community. It reflects our commitment to inspiring a love of learning and sparking curiosity.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association for their generous support and contribution.

Hands-On Writing Workshops

From January 10 to February 21, contest judges and acclaimed local authors — including Catherine Austen, Pierre-Luc Bélanger, Amelinda Bérubé, Eric Péladeau, and Khaleefa Hamdan — will lead Saturday workshops in English and French giving young writers the opportunity to explore their creativity and sharpen their skills.