Contest overview
The Creative Writing Contest is run by Sheridan's Honours Bachelor of Creative Writing & Publishing program and will be judged by upper-year students in that program.
The contest will run from October 21 to December 1, 2024.
The Creative Writing Contest is designed for Ontario high school seniors and recent graduates who like to write and are considering pursuing creative writing after high school. View eligibility criteria.
Participants are required to submit an original piece of writing suitable for the following prompt:
- Write a piece of creative writing (short story, creative non-fiction, poetry, script, etc.) fewer than 1,000 words in length in which a problem or conflict is solved in an unexpected way.
All work must be entirely the original work of the student. Submissions that are written, developed or assisted by an AI tool (such as ChatGPT) are prohibited and will result in disqualification.
Winners will be notified in December 2024.
Prizes: Win up to $500!
All three winners will receive cash prizes (in Canadian dollars):
$500
1st place prize
$250
2nd place prize
$250
3rd place prize
A number of honourable mentions will receive a free book and an invitation to Sheridan’s Creative Writing & Publishing Reception in January 2025 at Sheridan’s Hazel McCallion Campus (Mississauga), with an opportunity to share their work.
Eligibility criteria
Participants must be currently enrolled in an Ontario high school or have graduated from one less than two years before the contest deadline.
Contest dates and deadlines
| Monday, October 21, 2024 |
Contest opens (submissions open) |
| Sunday, December 1, 2024 |
Contest closes (submission deadline) |
| December 2024 |
Winners will be notified |
| January 2025 |
Sheridan’s Creative Writing & Publishing Reception |
How to enter
To participate in the contest, you must submit your work using the submission form. Your uploaded file must meet the following requirements:
- Please submit a single file.
- Include your name and the title of the work at the top of the uploaded file.
- File types accepted: .doc, .docx, .pdf
You do not need to write any explanations of your piece or tell the judges what you have done with the prompt; submit the work and let it speak for itself.
All submissions will be read by our panel of upper-year students in Sheridan’s Creative Writing & Publishing degree program.