Author and storyteller Laura Thomas, known as Agent Story, has once again teamed up with Delta Parks, Recreation and Culture to offer a province-wide summer writing contest for young scribes.

Last year, more than 30 writers between the ages of 11 and 17 from across the Lower Mainland submitted short stories. The top six entries won prizes that were donated by Delta businesses.

This year, support for the contest has expanded beyond Delta to include two Vancouver bookstores – Kidsbooks and Once Upon a Huckleberry Bush Children’s Bookstore.

Thomas is pleased to announce that this year there will be two age categories, 10-13 and 14-17, with the top three writers in each category taking home a prize.

As well, Joanne Ashdown, former editor at MacMillan Canada Publishers and currently a teacher at Canuck Place, will co-judge with Thomas.

But these are not the only changes that Thomas has made for the 2009 contest. She has also increased the word limit from 500 to 1,500 words per story.

“I have had several pleas from prospective entrants for an increased word limit,” said Thomas, “and so we will give it a go.”

Thomas said that while entrants will have more words to play with, she is still expecting a short story. In other words, she is looking for stories about one main character with one specific problem that is resolved or not during the story – not a novel synopsis.

“If the stories run amuck with too much plot and not enough descriptive, sensory detail, then I will drop the limit back down to 500 words for next year’s contest.”

Aspiring authors who are between the ages of 10 and 17 as of Aug. 31 are asked to submit a maximum of two short stories of no more than 1,500 words each, typed or neatly printed and with a creative title. Entrants are also asked to include a separate page with their name, age and complete contact information.

There is no fee to enter.

The contest deadline is Aug. 31 and entries can be dropped off or mailed to the South Delta Recreation Centre at 1720 56 St., Delta, B.C. V4L 2B1 or to the North Delta Recreation Centre at 11415 84 Ave., Delta, B.C. V4C 2L9 after July 1. Winners will be announced Sept. 14.

To read last year’s winning stories or for more information about the contest, visit www.AgentStory.net.

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