Contest Rules

Power of the Pen Contest Rules:

• Entrants must be between the ages of 12 and 18 and be a resident of Hamilton or a neighbouring city.
• One poem and/or short story per person may be submitted in both the English and French categories. Each entry requires a separate entry form.
• Short stories must not exceed 2,500 words in length. Poems may be any length.
• Entries should be typed, double-spaced and all pages numbered.  Paper copies are required for mailed and hand-delivered submissions.
• Typed entries must double-spaced, with font Arial or Times New Roman and size 11 or 12 point.
• Do not put your name anywhere on your work. Your name must be on the entry form only.
• All works submitted must be original. If it is fanfiction, the work of inspiration must be clearly named.
• The decision of the judges is final.
• Judged submissions will be available for pick-up the evening of the awards ceremony or during the month of January at Central Library.
• All entries will be scanned to ensure originality. Plagiarism will result in automatic disqualification.