The Writing in 150 writing competition started 4 years ago and in that time A Bunch of People Arts and Events (ABOP) in cooperation with Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood Publishing has published three (3) books of local writers and song writer’s work and they are about to embark on the publication of their 4th book.
Each year ABOP receives new participants along with writers who have participated every year. Jen Pretty is a local author who had won 1st place for the first three (3) years in the Fiction genre and who became a judge for the 2022 edition of this year’s competition.
“We are so honoured that a writer of Jen Pretty’s caliber has entered our competition and even more so that she agreed to judge this year. Jen has published approximately 26 books in her writing career and they are consistently excellent storytelling,” said Amanda Burger; president of the Board and Founder of ABOP. Jen along with Lis Angus another local writer whose first novel “Not Your Child” is being released by Wild Rose Press this month, had to choose between eight (8) different entries in Fiction.
“Eight entries don’t seem like much, but there is only room for ten (10) participants in each genre, as this competition is focused on supporting and promoting creators more than it is about making money – although all profit goes to a local charity: House of Lazarus,” Jen Pretty said. “The submissions were so good it was really hard to choose and, in the end, we decided a tie for 1st place was the fairest decision, to give more credit where it is due”.
The Writing in 150 competition is one where all participants have 2 ½ hours (150 minutes) to write an original work based on a prompt word. What comes out of this competition is some really great work. Amazingly the song writing participants create such amazing songs in that time. It truly is amazing.
“We were really happy with an increase in Song Writing participants this year, as we have teamed up with Railroad Recording Company out of Chesterville to professionally record the 1st prize winner’s submission and provide them with a professionally mastered track they can upload to online platforms. This is a prize worth over one-thousand dollars ($1000.00) and the winning song is really beautiful and heart felt,” Amanda stated.
Another new addition to this year’s competition was the inclusion of both grade 3 & 4 and 5 &6 of Maxville Public School, as participants. Twenty-two (22) students participated and all the students’ work will be published in their own collection of works by Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood Publishing.
This is the second (2nd) year that Perch magazine out of Cornwall (Big Catch Communications) will be hosting all 1st place winners on their website starting April 6th, 2022. “Perch magazine is a beautifully put together, interesting and locally supportive magazine,” Amanda said. “As a community we should be proud that people like Chantal Tranchemontagne of Perch is dedicated to bringing an independent magazine that tells the stories of the people who live, work and play in Cornwall, Akwesasne and the SDG Counties—the artists, the designers, the foodies, the performers, the community leaders, and the business owners. They’re doing their part to grow our region, spark conversation, establish deeper human connections, and encourage everyone to find inspiration around every corner. Now that is my kind of people!!” Amanda exclaimed.
To view the 1st place winners of the Writing in 150 competition visit https://perchmagazine.com/
And the winners of this year’s Writing in 150 writing competition are:
FICTION – PROMPT WORD: ECHO(ES)
Tied for 1ST PLACE: Molly Briggs and Marnie Fossitt
2ND PLACE: Paul Stockton
Amanda’s Picks – Fiction – PROMPT WORD: ECHO(ES)
Harloe White and Marion Voytinsky
NON-FICTION – PROMPT WORD: PERCEPTION
1ST Place: Patrick R. Burger
2ND Place: Jo-Anne Barton
POETRY / SPOKEN WORD – PROMPT WORD: SENSE(S)
1st Place: Carla Gadula
2ND Place: Sandra McNeill
SONG WRITING – PROMPT WORD: NIGHT(S)
1st Place: Finley Briggs-Webb
2nd Place: Tony Glen
Maxville Public School (Grade 3&4 and 5&6) PROMPT WORD: Growing
1ST Place: Peyton Grabs
2ND Place: Colton Crawford
3RD Place: Mariah Cherry
If you are interested in procuring one of the books ($15) contact: abunchofpeopleartsandevents@gmail.com
A Bunch of People Arts and Events is a not-for-profit corporation headquartered in rural Ontario (Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, in Eastern Ontario). Working with experienced & amateur physical, musical & visual artists we help organize artistic and/or entertaining events to help raise money for charity.
What is better than having a good time? Knowing the money you spent goes to charity!
