Do you dream of becoming a published author? If so, then the 2021 Toronto Star Short Story Contest offers you an excellent chance to show your skills as a writer and possibly see your story published in the largest newspaper and on one of the most-visited websites in Canada.

Starting Saturday, January 9, writers who live in Ontario can enter the contest, which is one of the largest in North America. All submissions must be received by 5 p.m., Monday, March 1, 2021.

The contest, now in its 43rd year, carries one of biggest prizes in Canada for a short story contest, with the first-place winner receiving $5,000, plus their choice of either the tuition fee for the two-semester creative writing graduate certificate correspondence program at the Humber School for Writers, which has an approximate value of $3,700, or a summer workshop in creative writing online program, which has an approximate value $850.

In addition, the second-place winner receives a cash prize of $2,000 and the third-place winner gets $1,000.

The contest is open to all Ontario residents 16 years of age or older. Entrants can write on any topic they want. Stories must be original, previously unpublished and no longer than 2,500 words. Entries are limited to one for each person.

This is the 12th consecutive year that the Toronto Public Library has been a partner with the Star in presenting the contest. The Humber School for Writers has been a partner for the past 11 years.