Water in Words
World Storytelling Day 2011
Short Story Contest

About the World Storytelling Day Celebration

In 2010, Delta storyteller Laura Thomas won a grant from the Storytellers of Canada to hold an event to celebrate World Storytelling Day in the city of Delta on March 20, 2011. The purpose of this non-profit contest and event was to promote the development of young storytellers and the art of storytelling and to establish World Storytelling Day (WSD) as an important educational and artistic event in Delta. The WSD 2011 international theme was "water." 

The Top 12 Stories Are...

"To Take a Risk" by Justine Rapier, Grade 4, Sacred Heart
"One Special Dog" by Taylor Adam, Grade 4, Cliff Drive
"The Serpent" by Sadie Baird, Grade 4, Ladner Elementary
"A Watery Tail (Tale)" by Rynelle De Souza, Grade 5, Sacred Heart
"The Secrets of Lake Silverstone" by Erin Alden, Grade 6, Pinewood
"Wondrous Waters" by Emma Millichamp, Grade 7, Sacred Heart
"The Mysterious Man of Caw" by Tessa Milic, Grade 10, Seaquam
"Hidden Beneath the Surface" by Emily Garlough, Grade 11, SDSS
"Dehydration" by Courtney Hoolsema, Grade 12, SDSS
"Laughter Lost in Water" by Brooke Isherwood, Grade 12, SDSS
"Swim Like a Polar Bear" by Mariko Adams, Grade 12, SDSS
"The Island" by David Eastman, Age 17, Grade 12, SDSS

Honorable Mention
"Nihilism" by Alex Thibert, Grade 12, SDSS

Short Story Contest INFO & RULES

Please read carefully and follow the instructions!

Deadline: postmarked or dropped off at Ladner Elementary School (office closes at 4:00 pm) by February 15

Winners Announced: February 28, 2011

Entry Fee: Free to enter

Two Categories: Tween (grades 4-7) & Teen (grades 8-12)

Prizes:
The top 6 writers from each category will work with Laura on their stories, taking them from print to the oral form. This includes:

• A storytelling workshop at Delta Manor on March 3 from 1:00-3:30 pm (yes, you get to miss school that afternoon)
• A private consultation with Laura to work on your story
• Telling your story live on stage at the Genesis Theatre at Delta's first annual World Storytelling Day Celebration on Sunday, March 20th. Details about the Water in Words WSD Celebration.
• Each participant in the WSD event will receive a prize package that includes a Chapters gift card, two tickets to a Vancouver Giants home game in the 2011-12 season, a Kelvin.23 Urban Super Tool, and much more! 

Contest Rules:

1. Eligibility: Open to students who are in grades 4 through 12 as of September 2010; must reside or attend school in Delta.
2. Because the theme of World Storytelling Day is "water," some of your story's elements must reflect that theme. For example: put your characters in a watery setting such as at the beach, on the ferry, in the rain, on the Fraser River, playing in a backyard sprinkler, swimming, skimboarding, surfing, etc. Water can also be central to your story problem or part of your main character's life. As well, think about connecting your story to the geography and/or people of Delta in a creative way. Read this newspaper article in the Delta Optimist for more suggestions.
3. Send in your best short story in prose or verse (all genres of fiction and narrative poetry are welcome) with a water theme of no more than 1000 words. No images, illustrations or fancy fonts. If you have a question about the word count, please read my blog. 
4. Send in one copy of your story by regular mail or you can drop it off at Ladner Elementary School. Do not send your original. Submissions will not be returned.
5. One story per student.
6. On the first page of your story include: title, your name and word count. 
7. Include a separate page with: name, age, grade, school, phone number, email address, home address. 
8. Note: Sometime between February 15 and 20, Laura will send an email confirming that she has received your story. If you do not receive a confirmation email by February 20, please let Laura know at waterinwords@agentstory.net.

Mail your story to:
Water in Words Contest
PO Box 1202 Station A
Delta, BC
V4M 3T3

Drop off your story at:
Ladner Elementary School*
5016 - 44th Avenue, Ladner
You can drop it at the front office
Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
*Be sure to put Water in Words on the envelope

If you have questions about the contest or rules, please email Laura at waterinwords@agentstory.net.

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News & Updates

• Water in Words on Facebook 
• South Delta Leader March 15, 2011, "Winning story writers chosen"
• Delta Optimist March 12, 2011, "Youthful storytellers are preparing for their big day" 
• Delta Optimist February 12, 2011, "Kids, let your story be heard"
• Delta Optmist February 2, 2011, "Tribute artist diving into Water in Words contest"
• South Delta Leader January 20, 2011 "Fluid Dynamics"
• Delta Optimist December 11, 2010 "Fundraiser Dinner Boosts Budget for Water in Words"
• Delta Optimist December 4, 2010 "Writing Contest for Kids All Wet"

Thank You to Our Water in Words Sponsors