Count Us In!
The CollingWord 2026 Short Story Writing Contest

Adult Contest Rules

Contest Deadline:

The submission window for the CollingWord 2026 Count Us In! Short Story Contest will open at 9:00 a.m. EDT on 15 July 2026 and close at 11:59 p.m. EDT on 15 August 2026.

About the Contest:

CollingWord 2026 is seeking well-written short story submissions from authors aged 19 and older who reside in the Simcoe County-South Georgian Bay area. Stories may belong to any genre, including but not limited to: literary, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, mystery, and horror.

We are looking for original, unpublished works with something to say, that show the reader the world through fresh eyes while reflecting the rich diversity of human viewpoints and experience. (Bonus points for being inclusive. And for making the judges laugh or cry.) What constitutes a great story? Engaging, authentic characters, a compelling plot with a clear beginning, middle, and end, and an interesting personal writing style.

Please note: Due to our scoring format, we can only accept stand-alone pieces, not excerpts from longer works in progress.

Prizes:

There will be up to 5 finalists (the shortlist), whose names will be published on our website, via email, and on social media. Prizes for the 1st and 2nd place winning authors are to be determined and will be announced. The 5 shortlisted stories will be published as a chapbook, accessible via our website and social media. The 1st and 2nd placing authors will also have the opportunity to read their stories aloud at CollingWord on Sunday, November 8th.

Contest Rules:

  • This contest is open to residents of the Simcoe County/South Georgian Bay area, Ontario, Canada. No entry fee is required, and all rights in each submitted story remain the property of the author.
  • By submitting a story to the contest, the entrant agrees to abide by all the contest rules.
  • To enter, authors must be at least 19 years old by the end of the submission window.
  • Short stories are to be between 1000 and 2500 words in length.
  • Only stories that have NOT been previously published or submitted for publication elsewhere may be entered in the contest. Stories that have been self-published online or on personal websites or other publishing platforms, including but not limited to blogs and newsletters, will also be disqualified.
  • By submitting your work, you are acknowledging that it is your own creation, that it has not been borrowed from any person’s work (including but not limited to film, video, gaming, and online content), that it has not been created with any assistance from generative AI tools or software, and that the characters and situations depicted are the products of your own imagination.
  • Each entrant may submit only one manuscript. Should a second entry be received, both will be disqualified.
  • CollingWord reserves the right to approve all final, edited content. Stories found at any point during the judging to have been written in part or in whole by AI, or to have been published elsewhere, will be disqualified. Stories deemed by the judges to be describing excessive or gratuitous violence, sexual or otherwise, particularly toward children, will be disqualified.
  • All submitted entries are final. No revisions will be accepted.
  • Each entry will be judged by at least two qualified individuals. The five top-scoring entries (the shortlist) will then be reviewed and ranked by professional authors to identify the 1st and 2nd place winners. The decisions of the judges are entirely their own and are final and binding.
  • Shortlisted authors will be individually notified by phone or e-mail 4-6 weeks after the submission deadline. Rankings will be announced and the prizes awarded at CollingWord 2026 and subsequently published.
  • Shortlisted authors may be required to provide proof of age and/or address before prizes will be awarded.

How to Submit:

  • Handwritten entries will not be accepted.
  • CollingWord accepts files ONLY in .DOC, or .DOCX format, submitted electronically here.
  • Typed submissions may be hand-delivered to the main desk of Collingwood Public Library, 55 Ste. Marie Street, Collingwood, ON, L9Y 0W6. Hard copy submissions must be contained in sealed envelopes addressed to the attention of CollingWord 2026 with the following clearly marked on the envelope: ATTN: COLLINGWORD ADULT SHORT STORY CONTEST 2026.
  • All entries are to be formatted as follows: double line-spaced on one side only of letter-sized white paper, using Times New Roman, Courier, or a comparable font, no smaller than 12 point, and with a standard 2.54 cm margin all around. The story title and page number must appear as a header on each page of the manuscript, but NOT the author’s name. This is to ensure that each entry is judged impartially, on its own merits.
  • Electronic submissions shall consist of two attachments:
    • Attachment one shall be a file holding the following:
      • A completed and signed consent form,
      • A cover page, containing ONLY the story title, author’s name and age group (ADULT),
      • The author’s complete contact information;
    • Attachment two shall be a file holding the following:
      • The manuscript of the story, formatted as per the instructions above.
  • Hard copy submissions shall also include the consent form and cover page, stapled together, then clipped to the manuscript.
  • Submissions that do not conform to these formatting requirements will be rejected and disposed of.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].

COUNT US IN!
COLLINGWORD 2026 WRITING CONTEST
SCORE SHEET

ENTRY TITLE:

ENTRY CODE NUMBER:

SCORING LEGEND: FOR EACH SECTION OF THIS SCORE SHEET

AWARD A SCORE OF: IF YOU WOULD APPLY THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION TO THE WRITING IN A PARTICULAR CATEGORY OR NUMBERED ITEM:
5/5 Masterful or exceptional writing/storytelling.
4/5 Good/very good. Well-crafted with only a few minor lapses.
3/5 Competent work. May be uneven. Room for improvement.
2/5 A good effort, but still has a way to go.
1/5 Reads like a rough draft. In need of further development.
CATEGORY JUDGING CRITERIA SCORE /5
IDEAS AND VOICE: The extent to which the story and writing reflect both the author's personal voice and a fresh, purposeful approach to the theme of the story. Does the approach to the theme feel fresh and original? Are ideas supported by specific relevant details? Does the writing consistently reveal the author’s personality and point of view? 1 2 3 4 5
STORY STRUCTURE: The extent to which dramatic conflict, the ordering of scenes, the sequence of events, and the transitions between them all build from an opening hook to a logical and satisfying conclusion. 1. Does the opening hook the reader immediately while presenting or establishing at least three of the following: a character, the setting, the conflict, the mood? 1 2 3 4 5
2. Is there a clear, purposeful use of conflict to build suspense? Is there a clear, purposeful sequence of scenes that unfold naturally, building a logical chain of events? 1 2 3 4 5
3. Is the conclusion both logical and emotionally satisfying? 1 2 3 4 5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT & DIALOGUE: The extent to which the characters “come to life on the page” by being psychologically complex, robustly described, and emotionally authentic. Are characters believably developed through dialogue / inner voice, narration, and action? Do characters remain consistently “in character” and emotionally motivated? Is dialogue or inner voice effectively used to reveal underlying facets of the characters involved? 1 2 3 4 5
LANGUAGE: The extent to which the author demonstrates an awareness of audience and purpose through effective use of descriptive details, accurate and evocative word choices, and creative use of literary devices. 1. Does the author use creative, concrete language and make thoughtful word choices, in particular: precise nouns, vividly descriptive adjectives, and powerful action verbs? 1 2 3 4 5
2. Does the author make effective use of literary devices such as simile, metaphor, and rich sensory detail? 1 2 3 4 5
WRITING MECHANICS: The extent to which the author demonstrates command of the “nuts and bolts” of writing: correct grammar, effective syntax, standard spelling and punctuation. 1. Does the writing contain an effective and interesting variety of sentence types, lengths, and structures? Are important thoughts and ideas placed in positions of emphasis within each sentence and paragraph? 1 2 3 4 5
2. Does the writing show consistent mastery of punctuation, spelling, and grammar? Does it communicate the author’s meaning with clarity? 1 2 3 4 5
THE READING EXPERIENCE Does the author’s writing style enhance the readability and meaning of the prose? Does it communicate the author’s message to the reader with clarity? 1 2 3 4 5
THE JUDGE’S OVERALL IMPRESSION
  1. I love this story! Would recommend it to others.
  2. I like this story! Would enjoy reading it again.
  3. I’m lukewarm about this story. It was okay, but not my cup of tea.
  4. I’m not fond of this story. It had some things to recommend it but was a little difficult to get through.
  5. I dislike this story. Only finished reading it for the judging.
 1 2 3 4 5
Ideas and Voice (1-5) 
Story Structure (3-15) 
Character Development and Dialogue (1-5) 
Language (2-10) 
Writing Mechanics (2-10) 
Reading Experience (1-5) 
Overall Impression (1-5) 
TOTAL SCORE: (14-55) 

NAME OF CONTEST JUDGE:

COMMENTS:

Hosted by Glass-Hammer - Providing IT Services for Southern Georgian Bay