A program celebrating works of original writing by local literary artists of all ages

Presented by Almonte Readers & Writers

DEADLINE: September 30, 2025

Open to anyone who lives in Lanark County and the surrounding area, the Lanark Lit Writing Competition is now open for submissions!

The genre for 2025 is works of short creative non-fiction. Send us your best non-fiction: literary journalism, memoir, personal essay, lyric essay, humour writing, travel writing, and flash non-fiction - all are welcome! Submissions are in two (2) categories, organized by age of author— ages 17 and under, adults 18+.

Deadline for entry is September 30, 2025, by 11:59 p.m.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Your story must adhere to the following:

  • Must abide by our Contest Rules

  • Must be written in English

  • Maximum of 2,500 words (no minimum); Title is not included in the word count

  • Formatted in Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced.

  • Title page includes: author’s first and last names, story title, mailing address, email, age category of entry, word count

  • Pages must be numbered

  • Author’s name must not appear throughout the manuscript (except on the title page)

  • Story title is included in the header or footer on every page

  • Submitted by email as a .doc or .docx

  • Submitted writing must be previously unpublished, must not have won any previous awards, and must be an original piece written by the applicant

 

PRIZES

$300 per category

A prize will be awarded to the winning entry in each age category, as determined by a guest jury selected by Almonte Readers & Writers.

The winning entries will also be offered the opportunity of public distribution. Details forthcoming.

 

ELIGIBILITY

The geographic boundaries for this program are rural, and are visually illustrated below — stretching as far west as Middleville, as far south as Westport, east as far as Oxford Mills, and as far north to Arnprior.

If you are unsure if you’re eligible, please reach out to info@almontereadersandwriters.org to determine if your location falls within the program area.

HOW TO ENTER
STEP 1: Read the Contest Rules.

STEP 2: Complete the Application Form, available below, immediately prior to submitting your work to the 2025 Lanark Lit Writing Competition.

STEP 3: Send your submission by email, formatted as required (read ‘Submission Guidelines’), to lanarklit@gmail.com.

We regret that we can only accept submissions by email. No hardcopy submissions please.

Once your submission is received, ARW will confirm your eligibility and receipt of your application by email, and communicate additional details as needed.

Watch for our messages, and stay tuned for contest announcements in Fall 2025.

QUESTIONS? 

If you have any questions, please reach out to ARW at info@almontereadersandwriters.org.

APPLICATION FORM

This program is presented by Almonte Readers & Writers, with funding generously awarded by the Elizabeth Kelly Foundation, and partial funding from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills.