The creativity and imagination of participants in the 2024 Norfolk Literary Prize were recognized this month during an awards ceremony in St. Williams.
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“It was a night of connecting and celebrating not just this year’s winners, but everyone who participated in the writing contest,” said Belinda Smith, virtual library coordinator at the Norfolk County Public Library. “This year, we had received 100 submissions in poetry and short story categories from 52 writers aged 9 to 90.”
Begun in 2005 as Teens Write for Fun, the contest expanded to include all ages and became known as Write For Fun. Organizers found that entries grew to be more personal and expressive, resulting in another name change in 2019 to The Norfolk Literary Prize.
A panel that included library staff, freelance writers, retired educators, journalists, editors, and published authors blindly evaluated the entries for technique, content, form, and literary devices.
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Poet Laureate John B. Lee presented the annual Laureate Award to Jennifer Gedye for Anticipation – Ode to Emily Carr.
Poetry winners included Aurora Tozer (children’s); Isabella Nydam (youth); and Thomas Judd (adults).
Short story winners are Ilse Tozer (children’s); Gregory Martin (youth); and Madison Banks (adults).
In all, 18 prizes were awarded at the Nov. 1 ceremony through sponsorships from Friends of the Library Port Dover and Delhi Branch Chapters, Simcoe Lions Club, Lions Club of Port Dover, Caradoc Townsend Mutual Insurance Company, Port Rowan Legion, PFB Construction, and Dave’s Variety of Delhi.
Brooke Marley Jones, author of The Forest Where the Phoenix Sleeps, was the keynote speaker whose speech inspired both aspiring and seasoned writers.
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Smith said the Norfolk Literary Prize is a testament to the rich literary culture of the area, providing a platform for writers of ages to celebrate their passion and craft.
“Whether they receive an award or not, opportunities like these can have a profound impact on the lives of those who have the courage to participate, and each writer’s voice adds something unique to our community,” she observed. “We may never fully know the ripple effects these occasions have, but we do know they matter.
“It’s a powerful reminder of how vital libraries are, not just as buildings with books, but as spaces that nurture expression, encourage creativity, and bring people together.”
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