INTRODUCING
THE 2021 BLANK SPACES AWARD FOR CANADIAN FICTION
Deadline to enter is April 2, 2021
$500 in prizes!
The contest will pay $200 to the top story and $75 to the winner of each category.
Should sponsorship and entries make it possible, these prize amounts may increase.
Each entry is subject to a $12 entrance fee - learn why below.
A shortlist (of up to five per category) will be released in May.
Winners to be announced in June 2021
All shortlisted authors will be anthologized in (and receive a free copy of) the first Blank Spaces Best of Canadian Fiction publication which will release in December 2021.
It doesn’t make sense to judge a romance against a sci-fi story, does it? No!
By offering different categories of fiction, we believe we’re giving everyone a fair chance at recognition.
Unlike our write prompt contest, where we provide an image and ask you to write something inspired by that image, this contest lets you play in the garden you’re most comfortable in. We can’t wait to read your work!
We are looking for exceptional short fiction by Canadians!
You must be Canadian
Your story cannot be published anywhere else and must be under 1500 words
Multiple entries are accepted, but each is subject to an individual submission form and fee
THE JUDGES
Haley Down
Blank Spaces Assistant Editor since 2018
JUDGING MYSTERY
Heidi Eastman
Blank Spaces Creative Consultant since 2016
JUDGING MYSTERY
Michelle McLaughlin
Blank Spades Assistant Editor since 2016
JUDGING ROMANCE
Alanna Rusnak
Blank Spaces Editor in Chief
JUDGING LITERARY
AND INTRODUCING OUR GRAND PRIZE JUDGE, NAME HERE
TBD
All entrants must be Canadian - by birth or by legal citizenship proceedings.
All entrants are subject to the contest entry fee.
Only one entry per person per category will be accepted.
Contest entries must be original, non-published works, and the submitter must be the sole author. Previously published works are not eligible - including publication on a personal website or blog. Three months following the end of the contest (July 2021), authors are welcome to publish their story online or submit to other publications with no obligation to Blank Spaces.
Entries found to be plagiarized will be immediately withdrawn from the contest.
Upon submission you are giving us non-exclusive rights to publish your story. Stories may appear on our website and in possible future printed or digital collections.
If you would like to withdraw your piece from the contest you may do so by contacting us at info@blankspaces.ca. Your fee will not be refunded.
Work must be suitable for a general audience and in line with Blank Spaces’ values: no gratuitous sex, violence, hate, or language. We will not publish “the F word”.
Abide by the word count limit and keep your submission under 1500 words.
Blank Spaces employees, volunteers, and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter this contest.
Anonymity is key. Your entry must be devoid of identifying names within the story, or on any of its pages.
Submit your story file as a PDF through the contest submission portal. Do not send document files.
If you would like to withdraw your piece from the contest you may do so by contacting us at info@blankspaces.ca. Your fee will not be refunded.
Why is there a fee to enter the contest?
You deserve to know where your money is going!
ARE YOU READY?
Your fee of $12 will help us award the winners, honour our judge’s time with a small honorarium, and fund the publication of the winning collection. Should we get enough entries and sponsors to cover these expenses, we will increase the prize amounts and potentially add a special ‘Editor’s Choice’ award.
Would you like to be a sponsor? Sponsorship will be recognized with a logo placement and direct link below, a listing within the publication, and mentions in posts and press releases related to this contest. Available in Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels.
Our Contest Partners
Gold Sponsors
ALANNA RUSNAK PUBLISHING
YOUR LOGO HERE
YOUR LOGO HERE
YOUR LOGO HERE
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors