by Morinville News Staff
Writers 55 and older living in the Edmonton Metropolitan Area have until Mar. 30 to enter their work for the John W. Bilsland Award, a new literary award offered by the Strathcona Seniors Society.
The group has served older adults in South Edmonton for 42 years by providing a range of social and recreational programs. Part of that programming has included creative classes by the award’s namesake, John W. Bilsland, Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Alberta. In addition to a 30-year career as a teacher, Bilsland has volunteered teaching creative writing at the Strathcona Place for the past 25 years. Seniors attending Bilsland’s classes over that time have produced more than 20 publications, including books.
The Society’s John W. Bilsland Award offers a $500 cash prize in each of three categories: short fiction, short non-fiction and poetry. Short Story non-fiction entries should be between 500 and 3000 words, fiction entries between 500 and 7000 words and poetry entries can be up to 30 lines. Previously published authors are welcome to enter; however, previously published works are not eligible.
Deadline for award submissions is Mar. 30. Entry rules, regulations and entry forms are available online at www.strathconaplace.com. Entry forms are also available at the Strathcona Place Senior Centre, 10831 University Avenue. There is a $5 entry fee. Interested parties can email JackBilslandAward@gmail.com for more information.
