Dates

• Submissions accepted: May 1 – July 11, 2023 

• Winners announced: September 16, 2023

• INC. Project Awards Gala: 7 p.m. on September 25, 2023

Project categories

Poetry: The Poetry Category is for original works written in verse that are a maximum 40 lines in length. A winner in this category will be selected for the following age groups:

• Grades 4-6
• Grades 7-8
• Grades 9-10
• Grades 11-12

Short Story & Essay: The Short Story & Essay Category is for original short stories and essays that are a maximum of 2000 words in length. A winner in this category will be selected for the following age groups:

• Grades 4-6
• Grades 7-8
• Grades 9-10
• Grades 11-12

Illustrated Works - New for 2023: The Illustrated Works Category is for original comics, graphic novels, and picture books that are under 10 pages in length. Submissions may include a combination of text and images. This category will be adjudicated based on narrative and a connection between art and story. A winner in this category will be selected for the following age groups:

• Grades 4-8
• Grades 9-12

Submission guidelines

• Entries are accepted May 1 – July 11
• Writers may submit one piece of writing per category
• Writers must reside or attend school in Halton Hills
• Writers may use a pseudonym
• By entering the contest, you give us permission to use your name for promotion
• Entries must be submitted electronically and be typed
• Entries must be your own original work
• Entries must be in English
• Entries may not include any profanity or graphic content

Judging

The judges are librarians and community members such as teachers, local authors, and journalists. They do not know the writers' names until after the judging is complete. The judges' decisions are final.

Winners

• Winners receive a $40 gift card and a copy of the INC. Project Anthology.
• Winners will be invited to read at the INC. Project Award Gala September 25, 2023 at 7 p.m. in the John Elliott Theatre. All writers are invited to attend.