Yukon Words is pleased to announce our first writing contest! Write a short story of between 500 and 2000 words about anything you want. Truth or fiction, humour or horror, Yukon-specific or set in outer space. We want to read it!

Words for a Win is a 50/50 short story competition open to anyone living in the Yukon or Atlin, BC. The winner will receive 50% of all submission fees (the other 50% goes towards administering the contest) plus a chance to present their work at the Yukon Words Festival in November, 2024.

Guidelines

Short Story
We are looking for short stories on any subject, between 500 and 2000 words, in English. The short story should be an original, unpublished, typed piece of writing, created without the use of generative AI tools. Simultaneous submissions are allowed.

Submission
Submit your short story by email to yukonwordssociety@gmail.com no later than 4pm Yukon Standard Time on September 15, 2024. We welcome electronic submissions only. Once sent, you will not be able to revise your submission.

Entry Fee
Along with your submission, please submit an entry fee of $10 by etransfer to yukonwordssociety@gmail.com. If you submit your entry fee using a different email than the one used to submit your short story, please state this in your submission.

Anonymity
Do not list your name, email, address, or any other identifying detail in your short story or its file name. Your name must be on your email. The administrator will then assign a unique number to your submission. This allows the jury to review all submissions anonymously.

One Entry Per Person
Only one short story may be submitted per person.

Eligibility
The contest is open to anyone living in the Yukon or Atlin, BC, who is 19 years or older.

Formatting
Submissions should be double-spaced in 12-point font. Accepted file types are .pdf, .doc and .docx.

Decisions
Entries will be judged solely on artistic merit. Decisions of the jury are final.

Responses
We cannot commit to providing any feedback on submissions.

Announcement
The winner will be announced in October and will be invited to present their work at the Yukon Words Festival in November. In addition, they will receive 50% of all submission fees received. The other 50% will go towards administering the contest.

Diversity
While submissions are anonymous, we want to ensure a diversity of applications from across the Yukon. Give us your unique thoughts. Express your magical, colourful self. Diversity is appreciated and encouraged at Yukon Words.

About Us
Yukon Words is devoted to supporting and promoting the word arts in Yukon, Canada. We are a not-for-profit cultural organization that represents, supports, and promotes Yukon writers, storytellers, and word artists at all levels and in all disciplines. We welcome, build, and connect an inclusive community of readers and audiences, and hope to foster wide public access to and participation in Yukon writing and storytelling arts and industries in all forms.