The Literary Triathlon is now open

Are you a literary triathlete, equally masterful in three different writing genres? Show us what you've got. We want you to participate in three short writing challenges, each based on one of the three literary prizes Canada Writes bestows every year: Poetry, Short Story, and Creative Nonfiction.

Literary Triathlon guidelines

• Challenge 1: Poetry 

Write a short poem (50 words or less) on the theme of speed.

• Challenge 2: Short Story

Write a piece of nano fiction (100 words or less) inspired by this image :

• Challenge 3: Creative Nonfiction

Write a true personal tale (150 words or less) recounting an experience where you've "gone for the gold." 

Important notes

• You must compete in all three challenges to be eligible to win.
• Any titles you choose to give your pieces of writing are excluded from wordcounts.
• Be as creative as you like in your entries. Though we welcome great writing about sports, your interpretation of the challenges can be about any subject matter that inspires you.

The prize 

An iPod Touch will go to the literary triathlete who best dazzles our judge in all three challenges.

Your Literary Triathlon judge 

Your judge is the writer and sportscaster Bruce Dowbiggin. Dowbiggin is the best-selling author of five books, including Money Players (finalist for the 2004 National Business Book Award) and The Meaning of Puck: How Hockey Explains Modern Canada. Read a Q&A with him here. 

You have until noon ET next Monday, August 6 to enter. To read the complete Rules & Regulations, click here. 

Good luck and stay tuned to Canada Writes for everything you need to know about the Literary Triathlon!