In January 2021, the Sable Island Institute launched its third writing contest:
Sable in Words 2021 – A Writing Contest for Youth
The contest closed on March 12 and all the submissions have been reviewed. Once again, we are delighted by the interest and enthusiasm of everyone who sent in stories and essays.
The winning submissions were chosen on the basis of creativity, research, and writing skills, these three criteria being equally important. It was not an easy choice as some entries had wonderful story ideas but were weak in grammar and structure, and others were very well written but lacking in research. However, the winning stories were strong in all criteria.
The winners in each age group are:
10 – 13 years
Anna Louise Tingley
for “Sable Island In Words“
Holly Dyer
for “A Sable Island Story“
14 – 17 years
Chloe Slauenwhite
for “A Horse’s Journey from Acadia to Sable“
Fauna
for “The Dance of the Selkies“
Honourable Mention
Sophia
for “The Lost Ship of Sable Island“
The four Winners receive a cash prize, two books about Sable Island, a set of Sable Island note cards, and a membership in the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS).
An Honourable Mention goes to Sophia for her story The Lost Ship of Sable Island. Since her story is not set on Sable Island, it could not be included in the contest. However, the judges felt that it is a well-written and interesting account with a strong Sable Island connection and deserves special recognition. Sophia will receive a WFNS membership, a book, and a set of note cards.
We are very grateful to all five of our writers – Anna Louise, Chloe, Fauna, Holly, and Sophia – for allowing us to share their work through publication in this website.
Thank you to everyone who submitted their stories to the contest. They were all interesting to read and provided some unique perspectives and insights, and some surprises. Some were creative re-imaginings of tales about ghosts and early settlers, and others told of adventures, remarkable encounters, and friendships. We hope everyone will consider entering again next year.
This being the Sable Island Institute’s third annual writing contest, we are grateful to all those who have supported us. Special thanks this year to Barry Wilson, English Language Arts Consultant, Department of Education, Province of Nova Scotia, for sharing information about the contest with teachers; to Katherine Sharp, South Shore Public Libraries, for notifying Provincial Librarians, especially Ray Fernandez; to Marilyn Smulders, Executive Director, and Andy Verboom, Communications Officer, Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia; to Lisa Doucette of Woozles Bookstore; and to Susan Kerslake and Rita Wilson, for their help in every aspect of the contest.
The prize packages include some special contributions. The five memberships were donated by the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia; copies of Sable Island, Tales of Tragedy and Survival from the Graveyard of the Atlantic (2006), were signed and donated by author Johanna Bertin; and the unique, handmade presentation cards were created and donated by Monica Scribbans. It is encouraging and exciting to have such an interested and supportive community. Thank you!
Janet Barkhouse and Zoe Lucas
for the Sable Island Institute, May 2021
Previous contest winners
12 – 14 years:
Harriet Ritchie’s “Ipswich, a Tragedy”
Laurie’s “Perling, Horse of Sable”
15-17 years:
Fumairia’s “The Mysteries She Holds”
Harriet Ritchie’s “Sable Through the Eyes of a Pony”
Quleanja Laureijs’s “Sable Island—My Home!”
Honourable Mention
Jorja Taylor’s “A Pale Lady, Five Kids and a Missing Finger“.
One of the presentation cards created by Monica Scribbans for the Sable In Words 2021 writing contest – a silhouette of a horse (black paper) applied to an inked and stamped background.
One Response
Thank you for an excellent writing contest. Well done to all,