Calling all young authors! We’re looking for teen writers going into grades 7 to 12 create original short stories on the theme – Butterfly Effect! Finalists will receive a gift card and have their submissions added to the library’s permanent collection!

This contest is organized by the Teen Advisory groups at the City and District Libraries.  

The short story contest is open to teens going into grades 7 to 12 who live or go to school on the North Shore. Teens can submit their short story on the theme, Butterfly Effect, by September 7th.

Short stories should be no more than 5,000 words, typed and uploaded to the form here.

​The writers will be celebrated at an Awards Ceremony on Saturday, October 18 at Lynn Valley Library. All contest participants will have the opportunity to read from their stories at the event.

Prizes will be awarded and include the following:

All winners will have their work published and added to the library’s collection!

• Overall Winner, $50 gift card

• First Place, grades 7-9, $25 gift card

• First Place, grades 10-12, $25 gift card

• Honourable Mention, grades 7-9, $15 gift card

• Honourable Mention, grades 10-12, $15 gift card

• Audience Choice award will be awarded to an author who reads from their submitted work at the awards ceremony in October, $50 gift card

Genre: This year we will be accepting short stories on the theme: Butterfly Effect

Content: Incorporate the theme: Butterfly Effect. Be creative with the prompt. It can involve cause and effect; little things having big impact; change and metamorphosis – or any ideas that this theme inspires for you! It is not necessary to include the phrase itself in your story.

Length: Maximum 5,000 words.

Format: Submissions must be submitted in one of the following formats: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .rtf, .txt. Please use standard margins, 12-point font, and double spacing. (Do not title your story Butterfly Effect or Writing Contest). Do not include your name or other identifying information on the document. This will be included on the submission form only.

Judging: Entries will be read by a panel of local authors, teens on the organizing committee, and librarians. Submissions will be judged on the following elements: incorporation of the theme, development of plot and characters, structure, creativity, and mechanics (spelling, grammar, etc.). 5 winners will be selected and there will be an audience choice awarded at the ceremony in October from among those authors who attend and read from their stories.

Submissions: Only 1 entry per applicant will be considered. The submission should be an original short story written by you in 2025.

Participation requirements: The contest is open to anyone going into grades 7 – 12 who live or go to school on the North Shore.

Questions?

Email TAG@nvdpl.ca