New Screen-Free, Canadian Writing Contest Invites Kids To Become Authors

Looking for a summer activity to keep your kids from whining that they’re bored for the 14th time before lunch? A new Canada-wide writing contest is giving young storytellers something a little more ambitious than another colouring sheet.

Story Search Canada: Kids Edition, launched June 16 by Toronto-based Zoe’s Story Labs, is a new national author search for kids ages 7 to 12. Children can submit original stories for the chance to become published authors and earn the title of Story Search Canada Author of the Year. Submissions are open now through Sept. 30, 2026, at StorySearch.ca.

The contest is aimed at getting kids to swap some screen time for story time, specifically the kind where they’re the ones doing the creating. Zoe’s Story Labs, founded by educator and children’s author Zoe Share, runs screen-free storytelling programs that guide children through writing, illustrating and editing their own books.

More than $5,000 in prizes will be awarded across three categories:

• The New Voice Award for ages 7 to 9
• The Canadian Spark Award for ages 7 to 12
• The Rising Storyteller Award for ages 10 to 12

Each category winner will have their book professionally published through Story Labs and will also receive a VIP Story Labs Author Experience, a free classroom workshop, a prize pack and an invitation to serve as a guest judge for the 2027 competition. Ten honorary runners-up will also be recognized.

What parents should know

• Who can enter: Canadian children ages 7 to 12
• Deadline: Sept. 30, 2026
• How to enter: Submit an original story at StorySearch.ca
• What winners get: Publication, prizes and a Story Labs author experience

The lead judge is Loghan Paylor, author of The Cure for Drowning and winner of CBC Canada Reads 2026. The judging panel also includes Canadian children’s authors Kendra Brown, Tamla T. Young and Ian Duncan, plus Splash’N Boots performer Taes Leavitt. More judges are expected to be announced over the summer.

There’s also a free Storyteller’s Kit available on the contest website for kids who want help getting started. Winners will be celebrated at the first Story Search Author Celebration in Toronto.

This article was crafted with the assistance of an AI language model. The final content was reviewed and edited by a human and reflects the editorial judgment and expertise of Today's Parent.