Announcing the Winners of the 2nd annual Lanark Lit Writing Competition!
The goals of this annual competition are to connect with local writers of all ages by offering an opportunity to share their work in print and in person, as well as win a monetary prize of $300. With the call for submissions for this year focused on works of short creative non-fiction, we’re thrilled to report that after a two month-long process of deliberation by a total of 9 judges, and a total of 57 submissions across two categories, we are thrilled to announce the winners of the competition!
Note that we will be celebrating the winners, and indeed all the writers who submitted stories, on December 6th from 2pm –4pm with an Awards Gala, which will be held at the Almonte branch of the Mississippi Mills Public Library (155 High Street, Almonte). Please join us, enjoy some refreshments, and hear the winning writers and the runner-ups read from their stories.
So without further adieu, the Winners of the 2025 Lanark Lit Writers Competition, as well as our well deserving Runners up and Honourable mentions are:
*drumroll please*
Youth, ages 17 and under category
WINNER — Code Duello, by Mattea Crabtree (Perth)
– “Fabulous and inventive combination of past and present… The historical sections are well-envisioned and imagined, making the scenes very real and relevant. Well-structured, well-researched, and very absorbing.”
Mattea Crabtree is an aspiring writer who, at age 13, has already written several unpublished books and short stories that showcase her imagination and love of adventure. Mattea was a winner in the 2024 Lanark Lit competition for her short story, The Apartment, and was recognized for her “whimsical and fresh voice with excellent character work.” She continues to develop her craft through ongoing learning, writing daily, and attending workshops.
FIRST RUNNER-UP (2nd) — In and out of the Water, by Arya Burkart (Carleton Place)
– “Very evocative. It captures a unique moment yet also contains an invitation to a universal experience that opens a door for the reader to experience the moment alongside the writer.”
Arya Burkart is an 11-year old aspiring author living in Carleton Place, who has a deep passion for creative writing and meaningful storytelling. She often finds inspiration in the beauty of nature and everyday moments. In quieter moments, she loves to read and dabble in carpentry, illustration and other little crafts.
SECOND RUNNER-UP (3rd) — Fresh Milk, by Neve Kuchinad (Perth)
– “A very strong piece with evocative physical and emotional details. Personal yet informative, filled with sweetness, and a quaint yet fresh vision.”
Neve Kuchinad is 9-years old and lives in Perth. She enjoys playing sports like soccer, hockey and tennis. She also likes to bake with her grandma, go camping and travel with her family, and she absolutely loves cats!
HONOURABLE MENTION — Red Horse Lake Monsters, by Benji Hawkey and Noah Cordick (Perth)
– “An adventure story that hits like a fish strike on a new lure! The writers have captured their experiences and brought them vividly to life, filling the story with sensory details that reel the reader into each moment. It feels fresh, authentic, and personal.”
Adults, 18+ category
WINNER — Hold On, by Kimberly Lemaire (Carp)
“What a journey! Will stay with me for a long time. An ambitious and highly creative work that inverts the expected, moves quickly, and is as surprising as it is unsettling. Succinct and precise, like a well-aimed gut punch.”
Kimberly Lemaire is originally from Pembroke but has called both Halifax and Kingston home. She spent the last three years living in a swamp not far from Carp… because every ogre needs one. Kimberly is currently completing a Master in Fine Arts in Fiction from King’s College University, which keeps her neck deep in revisions most days. Hold On is her first foray into non-fiction.
FIRST RUNNER-UP (2nd) — Brush with the Moon, by Michael Gibson (Perth)
“High praise for the characters, use of foreshadowing, tension, and conflict in this personal tale. The building of suspense and careful selection of details draws the reader into the story's specific time and place. A wonderfully written, well constructed, interesting and richly portrayed story about a close-call.”
Michael Gibson is a writer living in Perth, Ontario with his wife and co-pilot, Teddy. He is the author of several produced screenplays and award-winning interactive digital media. He is currently working on his first novel.
SECOND RUNNER-UP (3rd) — Grief and Relief - Holding Close to Let Go, by Jane Olivier (Pakenham)
“Reached directly into my chest, grabbed my heart, and tore it right out. Struck a perfect balance between detailing one specific end-of-life journey and homing in on universal human experience, with turns of phrase that took my breath away.”
Jane Olivier has lived in Pakenham for several years and is active in the Arnprior and Lanark communities where she volunteers as an English tutor and contributes to museum projects that document local stories. A lifelong wanderer and wonderer, as a writer and editor, she draws on a life spent in many countries, and her nonfiction often examines memory, responsibility, and the ordinary moments that shape us.
HONOURABLE MENTION — CLARENCE, by Marcia Taylor (Ashton)
“A clever and interesting character piece. Well written and humorous, delightfully quirky, with a nice ending. I fell in love with Clarence!”
SHORT-LIST (Finalists) — (in alphabetical order by author)
walking & awakening - from woe to wonder, by Chris Cavan (Almonte)
Happy Go Lucky, by Ron W Coristine (Perth)
She'll be coming round the mountain…, by Sally Smith (Smiths Falls)
About the Lanark Lit Writing Competition
With a total of 45 submissions from adults, and 12 submission from youth under 17, stories were sent from all over Lanark County (and a bit beyond), including Almonte, Arnprior, Ashton, Balderson, Beckwith, Carleton Place, Carp, Lanark, Lombardy, Merrickville, North Gower, Pakenham, Perth, Rideau Ferry, Smiths Falls, and Westport.
This region is absolutely chock full of writerly talent, and the competition judges definitely had their hands full. The creative non-fiction entries to this year’s competition took the judges into the minds, hearts and lives of the local writers who submitted their work. Written with exploratory, vivid, and evocative language to transport the reader to a different point in time and place, a vast range of human experience was well reflected, with stories on childhood, travel, loss, and other profound or more subtle impressions.
Our esteemed panel of jurors each participated in a round of blind consideration of the submissions. All author names were removed prior to circulation, and discussions maintained anonymity of the writers and where they were from until the decisions were finalized. Each juror thoughtfully considered every story they read and took their role seriously. As members of the literary community, they know the courage taken by every writer to submit and appreciated elements of every submission. On behalf of our community and all participants we wish to thank our jury for their time, dedication, and thoughtfulness:
Jury members:
17 and under category — Amanda West Lewis, Robert Childs
Adults 18+ category — 1st round Jane Ellens, Jill Walters, Krista Foss, Parrish Wilson; 2nd round Aaron Hutchins, Peter Dixon, Kris Riendeau.
A huge thank you to all those who submitted a story. Without you, there would be no competition, and we know it takes creativity and focus to write and finish a story, not to mention bravery! We encourage all writers to continue sharing their work. This is how you can connect to your peers and develop your skills.
The Lanark Lit Writing Competition 2025 is funded by the Elizabeth Kelly Foundation, with partial funding from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills.