In January 2023, the Sable Island Institute launched its fifth writing contest:
Sable in Words 2023 – A Writing Contest for Youth
The contest closed on April 14, and 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 would have benefited from more research. However, the winning stories were strong in all criteria.
The winners in each age group are:
10 – 13 years
Brooke Morrison
for “My Day with Zoe Lucas”
Kyla
for “A Long Wait on Sable”
14 – 17 years
Margaret
for “Sable Magic”
Sophie Uhlarik
for “Sable’s Ghost”
The four Winners receive a cash prize, a book about Sable Island, and a set of Sable Island note cards. Also, as part of each prize package, the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) contributed a WFNS membership, and a free registration in any Creative Writing Day Camp of each winner’s choosing.
We are very grateful to all four of our inspired winning writers – Brooke, Kyla, Margaret, and Sophie – for allowing us to share their work through publication in this website.
Thank you to everyone who submitted their writings to the contest. They were all interesting to read and provided some unique perspectives and insights, and some surprises. We hope everyone will consider entering again next year.
This being the Sable Island Institute’s fifth annual writing contest, we are grateful to all those who have supported us.
Special thanks to Marilyn Smulders, Executive Director, and Andy Verboom, Communications Officer, Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia, who offered membership in the Federation to our winners, as well as a place in their creative writing summer camps. Thanks to Myrna Noddin Bona, Provincial Literacy Lead of the Education Innovation, Programs and Services Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Education, and Catherine Kelly, Communities Librarian of the Nova Scotia Provincial Libraries, for sharing information about the contest with teachers and librarians respectively. Thanks to Susan Kerslake, Mary Jo Anderson and Cassandra Letourneau-Duynstee for their help in so many aspects of the contest.
Zoe Lucas and Janet Barkhouse
for the Sable Island Institute, June 2023
Previous contests and winners
10 – 13 years
Pippa Anderson’s “Sable’s Island“
Evelyn’s “The Storm“
14 – 17 years
Chloe Slauenwhite’s “Daughter of the Wind and Waves“
Dorey’s “Gallop“
10 – 13 years
Anna Louise Tingley’s “Sable Island In Words”
Holly Dyer’s “A Sable Island Story”
14 – 17 years
Chloe Slauenwhite’s “A Horse’s Journey from Acadia to Sable”
Fauna’s “The Dance of the Selkies”
Honourable Mention
Sophia‘s “The Lost Wreck of Sable Island”
12 – 14 years:
Harriet Ritchie’s “Ipswich, a Tragedy”
Laurie’s “Perling, Horse of Sable”
15 – 17 years:
Fumairia’s “The Mysteries She Holds”
12 – 14 years:
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“.
