Contest Rules

Power of the Pen Contest Rules:

Power of the Pen Creative Writing Contest

Power of the Pen Contest Rules:   

  • Entrants must be between ages 12-18 and residents of Hamilton or a neighbouring city (a city that neighbours the borders of Hamilton municipal boundaries)
  • Each entrant may submit one poem, short story or both in the English and French categories. Each entry requires a separate entry form.
  • Short stories must be at most 2,500 words. Poems may be any length.
  • Please type entries in Arial 12-point size, double-spaced. Please number all pages and submit as a word document
  • Do not put your name anywhere on your work. Your name must be on the entry form only.
  • All submissions must be original. If it is fanfiction, the work of inspiration must be named.
  • The decision of the judges is final.
  • Please email mnichols@hpl.ca to make arrangements to pick-up judged submissions.
  • All entries are scanned to ensure originality. Plagiarized submissions will be disqualified.