We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Lanark Lit Writers Competition. But first, what is this competition about? Produced by Almonte Readers & Writers, the 2nd annual Lanark Lit Writing Competition launched in April of this year, with a focus on non-fiction for 2025. The goals of the competition are to connect with local writers of all ages to offer an opportunity to share their work in print and in person, as well as win a monetary prize. With the call for submissions for this year focused on works of short creative non-fiction, we’re thrilled to report that the local writing community delivered an impressive tour de force of powerful, imaginative, and compelling stories that transported us and captured our hearts!

After a two-month-long process of deliberation by a total of 9 judges, and a total of 57 submissions across two categories, we are excited to announce the winners of the competition! Note that we will be celebrating the winners, and indeed all the writers who submitted stories, on December 6 from 2–4pm with an Awards Gala, which will be held at the Almonte Public Library (155 High Street, Almonte). Please join us, enjoy some refreshments, and hear the winning writers and the runners-up read from their stories.

So without further ado, we are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Lanark Lit Writers Competition, as well as our well deserving runners up and honourable mentions, along with a nod to the short-listed 18+ category finalists, all as selected by an independent jury of local literary experts.

*Drumroll please…*

Ages 17 and Under

Adults 18+

Short-List (Finalists)

The following submissions were short-listed in the Adults 18+ category (in alphabetical order by author):

About the Lanark Lit Competition

With a total of 45 submissions from adults, and 12 submission from youth under 17, stories were sent from all over Lanark County (and a bit beyond), including Almonte, Arnprior, Ashton, Balderson, Beckwith, Carleton Place, Carp, Lanark, Lombardy, Merrickville, North Gower, Pakenham, Perth, Rideau Ferry, Smiths Falls, and Westport.

This region is absolutely chock full of writerly talent, and the judges definitely had their hands full. The creative non-fiction entries to this year’s competition took the judges into the minds, hearts and lives of the local writers who submitted their work. Written with exploratory, vivid and evocative language to transport the reader to a different point in time and place, the vast range of human experience was well reflected, with stories on childhood, travel, loss, and other profound or more subtle impressions.

Our esteemed panel of jurors each participated in a round of blind consideration of the submissions. All author names were removed prior to circulation, and discussions maintained anonymity of the writers and where they were from until the decisions were finalized. Each juror thoughtfully considered every story they read and took their role seriously. As members of the literary community, they knew the courage taken by every writer to submit, and appreciated elements of every submission. On behalf of our community and all participants we wish to thank our jury for their time, dedication, and thoughtfulness.

For the 17 and under category, jury members were Amanda West Lewis and Robert Childs. For the Adults 18+ category, first round jurors were Jane Ellens, Jill Walters, Krista Foss and Parrish Wilson; second round jurors were Aaron Hutchins, Peter Dixon and Kris Riendeau.

A huge thank you to all those who submitted a story. Without you, there would be no competition, and we know it takes creativity and focus to write and finish a story, not to mention bravery! We encourage all writers to continue sharing their work. This is how you can connect to your peers and develop your skills. We look forward to seeing you on December 6.

Almonte Readers & Writers wishes to thank the Lanark Lit project funders, the Elizabeth Kelly Foundation, and the Municipality of Mississippi Mills.