Facebook Twitter Linkedin

Annual Literary Contest

Each summer, Mensa Canada holds an annual literary contest for poetry and short stories.

The theme for 2023 is connections.

You could write about relationships, networks, friends, bonds, agreements, or even the glue that binds you. The sky is the limit for your imagination! Play with this idea and make a short story or poetry, and maybe win a prize!

Submissions must be received by June 26, 2023. Winners will be announced at the Annual General Meeting during the Annual Gathering in Montreal on July 16, 2023. 

There will be prizes of $50 and $30 for the top two contestants in each category. There are also $30 prizes for the top contestants in the new <12 and 12-20 age groups. And of course glory, a certificate and the prestige of having a published work.

Need inspiration? Check out the winning entries below the rules!

Contest Rules

  1. Competition is open to 2023 Mensa Canada members in good standing (paid up).
  2. The theme is connections.
  3. There is no entry fee. Contestants may submit one entry in each category.
  4. Fiction short story must be 1,000 words or less. Poetry must be 30 lines or less (excluding title). Works exceeding this are automatically disqualified.
  5. Entries must be the sole work of the entrant and must be original unpublished work. The author retains copyright of the story/poetry, but will grant Mensa non-exclusive rights to publish in Mensa newsletters and the Mensa website. The contestants agree that the names of winners may be published nationally.
  6. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity and artistic quality. Decision of the panel of judges is final.
  7. Works containing profanity, vulgarity or offensive material will be disqualified. The judge panel will determine if this condition applies.
  8. Prizes will be awarded July 16, at the 2023 AGM, in each category to firsts ($50) and second ($30). There are two prizes in a new category for youth entries, $30 for first in the <12 group, and $30 for first in the 12-20 group. If somebody qualifies for a prize in both youth and adult categories, they will get one prize, whichever is the highest value.
  9. Submissions must be in English or French.
  10. Submission date is June 26, 2023. Send submissions electronically to mensacanadaliterarycontest@gmail.com.
  11. By submitting entries for the competition, the entrant accepts all the conditions listed above.
Old fashioned Typewriter

Winning Entries

Mensa Canada is proud to announce the winners and finalists of the Annual Literary Contest. We hope that you will enjoy reading the winning entries as much as the judges did.

Announcement

TAKE CARE

STAY SAFE

STAY POSITIVE

Local Groups

Contact

Mensa Canada
P.O. Box 1570
Kingston, ON K7L 5C8

Phone (844) 202-6761
Email info@mensacanada.org

Our Members Say

I have been a Mensan for 30 years now and it has been a very rewarding experience, not only intellectually but also socially. The most rewarding experience as a Mensan is to give -- to give of yourself for the benefit of others.

Member from Vancouver
Member from Vancouver

Joining Mensa is a life changing experience!

Member from Alberta
Member from Alberta

I especially enjoyed meeting many of your members at the ”meet-and-greet” after my presentation and hope you will invite me to return on a future occasion.

Liona Boyd, C.M., O.Ont.
Liona Boyd, C.M., O.Ont.

To be honored in the Poetry Competition with a submission that I squeaked in under the wire because I was afraid to enter is a validation beyond words. Being judged by a new group of peers is the highest honor and a moment that I will treasure...

Member from Alberta
Member from Alberta

Mensa is an extraordinary organization created by extraordinary people for extraordinary people. If you already belong, join us and enjoy connecting and networking.

Member from Ontario
Member from Ontario

Mensa is a great way to have fun meeting interesting people and making friends.

Member from British Columbia
Member from British Columbia
Copyright © 2023 Mensa Canada

Website Privacy Policy