Get creative – Kids write 4Kids
January is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby or to take current hobbies and passions to the next level. If you know a young writer who loves putting pen to paper, now could be the time to put their literary works to the test to be in with a chance of becoming a published author, while making an impact.
Since 2012, national youth education charity, Ripple Foundation, has been discovering young Canadian authors with its annual Kids Write 4 Kids contest.
Kids Write 4 Kids is an annual creative writing competition for students in grades four to eight. Aspiring writers have the opportunity to craft an original literary piece with full artistic license over genre, format and theme.
Submitted to a judging panel made up of accomplished editors, authors and previous winners, the winner will see their work published in ebook and paperback formats. They will also choose a charity to benefit from 100% of the proceeds from book sales during 2023, garnering philanthropic ways among the next generation.
Ivy Wong, Founder of Ripple Foundation, started the charity’s flagship program to give back to children and to cultivate a love for reading and writing and the creative writing skill of tomorrow’s leaders.
“Storytelling is an important tool throughout life, personally, professionally, socially, emotionally,” said Wong. “Being able to articulate your thoughts on paper in a way that others understand is powerful and builds confidence in the next generation. It’s especially important to today’s young people who have been met with unprecedented times the last few years and need an outlet to make sense of it all.”
The one-of-a-kind challenge has received over 3,000 submissions since it started, and 21 authors have been discovered from across Canada, impacting and benefitting multiple charities and organizations along the way.
The competition now welcomes entries until March 31, 2023, which must be submitted by the author’s parent, guardian, or teacher. It is completely free to enter and the maximum word count is 5,000.
Wong adds, “Writing journeys start within, from the imagination. But it is an art, and should be practiced and perfected like any craft. My – and the judges – best tip is to ensure you give yourself enough time to write, edit, read, and repeat this process again multiple times. Even the greatest authors have to rework their literary creations often more than once. We cannot wait to see what this year’s Kids Write 4 Kids contest entrants have in store for us!”
To learn more about eligibility and entry details, visit ripplefoundation.ca
