Press Release:
For immediate release, February 2, 2004
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 2004 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Wolfe Island in 1848 -- and is open to writers who are previously unpublished in the mystery or crime genre.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, first introduced last year, 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
promoting new writers from across the country."
Deadline for entries is May 15, 2004. Read the contest rules.
Winners will be announced on June 15 and will be presented with their prizes at the annual Scene of the Crime Festival
on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004.
First prize is $50 and publication in the event program. 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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