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Press Release:
For immediate release, February 2, 2005
Contact: Violette Malan, 613-272-3591
Short story contest honours
Canada's first mystery writer
Wolfe Island's Scene of the Crime Festival is launching its 2005 short story contest in time to mark the birth date of Canada's first crime writer.
The contest opens Feb. 24 -- the birth date of Grant Allen, Canada's first crime writer, born on Wolfe Island in 1848 -- and is open to
writers who are previously unpublished in the mystery or crime genre.
Organizers say the contest, introduced two years ago, has seen entries from across the country.
"Last year we were delighted to see Canadians from the Maritimes to British Columbia turning to crime," jokes contest co-ordinator Violette Malan. "Since
Canadian crime writing started with a Wolfe Islander, it seems fitting the Island be a centre for promoting new writers from across the country."
Deadline for entries is May 15, 2005. Read the contest rules.
Winners will be announced June 30 and presented with their prizes at the annual Scene of the Crime Festival on Saturday, August 13.
First prize is $50 and publication in Kingston Life Magazine. Second and third prizes are $25 gift certificates from Kingston's Novel Idea bookstore.
The Scene Of The Crime Festival was launched to honour Canada's first crime writer, Grant Allen, born at his family home on Wolfe Island, the manor of the Baron
de Longueuil family. The first Canadian to write crime stories, Allen invented one of the most popular plot conceits of the genre and was a good friend of Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Allen went on to become one of the most prolific writers of the Victorian period and invented a plot staple,
the thief who is actually the hero of the story.
For more information about the short story contest, contact Violette Malan by telephone at 613-272-3591.
Information and tickets for the Scene of the Crime Festival are available by email at [email protected] or by
contacting Maureen Lollar at 613-385-2540.
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