Writing Contest Winners Announced
We're thrilled to announce the winners of Write Here Write Now 2026, Burlington Public Library's annual writing contest!
It's no secret that Burlington is home to an incredible community of writers. Every year, local storytellers of all ages share their creativity, imagination, and passion through Write Here Write Now, proving that the love of writing is alive and well in our city.
The contest ran from May 1 to May 31 and was open to Burlington residents or anyone who works or attends school in Burlington, ages 9 and up.
Announcing Our Winners
This year's contest attracted an outstanding 202 original short stories, showcasing the remarkable talent of Burlington writers. BPL staff reviewed every submission and were inspired by the creativity, originality, and imagination on display.
Selecting the winners was no easy task. Our sincere thanks go to award-winning local authors Jennifer Mook-Sang, Sylvia McNicoll, and Erin Pepler, who generously shared their time and expertise as guest judges.
The calibre of this year's entries was so impressive that we expanded the awards to include second- and third-place winners in every age category—giving even more talented writers the recognition they deserve.
Congratulations to the winners of Write Here Write Now 2026!
Ages 9 to 12
1st Place: Broken but Brave Together by Mishara Sarkar
2nd Place: How the World Walked In by Katherine De Vries
3rd Place: Through the Door by Leigha Hylands
Ages 13 to 17
1st Place: A Door for Heartbreak by Nayune Kim
2nd Place: Jenny’s Room by William Johnson
3rd Place: Erstwhile by Finley Chiasson
Ages 18+
1st Place: The Scent of Home by Harshanee Patel
2nd Place: Hope Lives in the Garden by Fayrouz Fakhereddin
3rd Place: The Door I Keep Open by Irena Kagansky
Thank You, Burlington!
Thank you to everyone who entered Write Here Write Now. Sharing your creative work takes courage, and we applaud every writer who submitted a story. Your imagination, dedication, and love of storytelling made this year's contest another memorable success.
We hope you'll take a moment to read this year's winning entries and celebrate the remarkable talent in our community.
Feeling inspired? Keep an eye out for our 6th annual Burlington Literary Festival this November, where writers of all ages can sharpen their skills through a variety of engaging workshops. We hope to see you—and perhaps even read your story—in next year's contest!
