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• Writing for Children Competition 2026 | Entry deadline MAY 31

  • Start
    Monday, March 16, 2026
  •  
    12:00 AM
  • End
    Monday, June 01, 2026
  •  
    2:00 AM
  • Location
    n/a

  Register

  

       
  

  Writing for Children Competition 2026
  

  Deadline MAY 31, 2026
  

  CANSCAIP’s annual Writing for Children Competition is now open for entries! It's Canada’s largest competition for children’s writers, and we welcome submissions from unpublished and self-published writers. The deadline for entries is May 31.

  A $500 cash prize will be awarded to the winning Middle Grade and Young Adult entries, and two winning Picture Book entries. Two finalists in each category will also be selected. CANSCAIP sends the finalist and winner entries to Annick Press, Kids Can Press and Scholastic Canada for their consideration. 

  Every Writing for Children Competition entry gets a written evaluation by a traditionally published CANSCAIP Member volunteer reader. Entries advancing to the second round get another evaluation, and entries on the shortlist get evaluations by each jury member. The Competition readers will not be provided with the writers' names.  

  Entrants must be over the age of 18, Canadian citizens or permanent residents, with no traditionally published books in any genre or for any age. Self-published writers are also eligible to enter the Competition. Previously submitted entries can be re-submitted for the 2026 Competition.

  CANSCAIP Friends pay $40 for one entry, $70 for two entries, $90 for three entries. Non-members pay $50 for one entry, $85 for two entries, $105 for three entries. To get the Friend rate, please join CANSCAIP before you register.

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• No-Homework Online Critique Groups MG & YA

  • When
    Saturday, April 11, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

  Register

  No-Homework Online Critique Groups:
  Middle Grade/Young Adult Edition

  Saturday April 11
  12-2:30pm ET

  CANSCAIP is delighted to announce its second No-Homework Critique Event. If you have a Middle Grade or Young Adult WIP (Work In Progress), and you’d like peer feedback, we invite you to join us.  

  This a free event for CANSCAIP Friends and Members. For this initial MG/YA event, registration is limited to 35. We want to see how the program works before we offer another larger edition.  

  “No-Homework” means there is no need to send your pages in advance. Just come to the event ready to read and share your story.

  The event format will include arranging participants into small breakout rooms. One of the goals is to establish connections that could lead to ongoing critique groups after the initial event is over.

  Whatever stage of writing you’re at, we’re hoping our friendly and supportive CANSCAIP community will help you take your manuscript to the next level. Looking at other people’s work with your ‘editor’s eye’ is also great way to fine tune your self-editing skills.

  CANSCAIP is a volunteer-run organization, and our Vice President Jane Baird Warren is heading up No-Homework Critique Groups. Many people want to be part of a critique group, and we frequently get asked about that. Jane launched this new program in November 2025 for Picture Books.

  We’re excited to offer the MG/YA edition.

  Another No-Homework Critique Groups event for Picture Books will be offered again in fall 2026. Stay tuned!

  
  

  
  

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