2026 Children's Writing Contest

Every few years, DC Canada holds a writing contest for kids across the nation. In our first year, we received 173 submissions. In the next, over 300. And last time, 557 wonderful stories!

Now, it's your turn to participate and see if your story will be chosen to be illustrated and published!

Contest Details

Deadline: Oct. 21, 2026, 12 p.m. EST
Max. submissions: 1 story/person
Word count:

• Grades 1 and 2: 50 to 100 words
  
• Grades 3 and 4: 100 to 200 words
  
• Grades 5 and 6: 200 to 350 words

Awards

The top 30 or so stories will be published in an illustrated storybook and the top three winners in each category will also receive a cash prize. The school with the most participants will win a prize too: a gift pack of books and games.

The Technical Stuff

Once the contest is over, our team of judges will decide which stories are the best. After the winners are announced, we will begin working on the book! Participants who will be published (and their legal guardians) will have to sign a form before we proceed with publication. Absolutely no artificial intelligence (AI) is permitted - your story will be eliminated if AI is detected.

If you're having difficulties with the submission form, please contact submissions@dc-canada.ca.