Young South Asian short-story writers were among the winners of Surrey 2023 Surrey Libraries Youth Writing Contest, an annual writing competition for youth aged 12-18. “For as long as I can remember, writing has been my refuge, my voice, and my canvas to paint the vivid tapestry of my culture and life experiences,” said Haider Athar Ansari, winner of third place in Junior Short Story. “Surrey Libraries’ writing contest serves as the bridge that allows me to weave this tapestry and along with it, share my culture and stories with the world.”

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff 

SURREY — Young South Asian short-story writers were among the winners of Surrey 2023 Surrey Libraries Youth Writing Contest, an annual writing competition for youth aged 12-18.

 “For as long as I can remember, writing has been my refuge, my voice, and my canvas to paint the vivid tapestry of my culture and life experiences,” said Haider Athar Ansari, winner of third place in Junior Short Story. “Surrey Libraries’ writing contest serves as the bridge that allows me to weave this tapestry and along with it, share my culture and stories with the world.”

The contest, which is free to enter, gives an opportunity for young writers to submit entries to one of four categories: short stories, poems, comics, and a random category for other types of writing such as essays, screenplays, or song lyrics. Since launching the contest in 1987, Surrey Libraries has received over 8,000 entries from aspiring young writers from across Surrey. The winners were celebrated at an Awards Gala on October 11.

 “This year’s entries were remarkable in both quantity and quality,” said Michael Hunc, Public Services Librarian and contest coordinator. “It’s truly inspiring to witness the level of talent, passion, and courage demonstrated by young writers and artists from Surrey.”

 “The amazing response, support and recognition that I got for my entry really amazed me,” said Rishabh Gandi, winner of first place in Junior Short Story. “It motivated me to continue expressing myself through my writing.”

 This popular program is organized by Surrey Libraries staff and is made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including champion sponsors Khalsa Credit Union, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Surrey International Writers’ Conference.

 An anthology of the winners’ work will be available to borrow from library branches and on sale for $8.00 at the beginning of November.

 

YOUTH WRITING CONTEST Winners 2023:

 

Junior Short Story

First Prize: Rishabh Gandhi

Second Prize: Feifan Wang

Third Prize:  Haider Athar Ansari

Honourable Mention: Jia Lu Hai

Honourable Mention: Lucy Prior

 

Senior Short Story

First Prize: Sharon Yang

Second Prize: Kristy Tran

Third Prize: Alyana Amadeo

Honourable Mention: Kirat Saran

 

Junior Poetry

First Prize: Lucy Prior

Second Prize: Isabelle Fan

Third Prize: Landon O'Brien

Honourable Mention: Eden Taillefer

Honourable Mention: Alice Su

 

Senior Poetry

First Prize: Carolyn Hu

Second Prize: James Enns

Third Prize: Ruby Parker

Honourable Mention: Clary Chow

Honourable Mention: Basma Mangat

 

Comics

First Prize: Hui Shwen Neo

Second Prize: Sophia Ng

Third Prize: Shenelle Villacorta

Honourable Mention: Esther Park

Honourable Mention: Annis Seo

 

Random

First Prize: Teagan Chow

Second Prize: Reagan Jaymes

Third Prize: May Chee

Honourable Mention: Rehn Clyde Tan

Honourable Mention: Aadil Sood