We are looking for budding authors of all ages—from kindergarten to grade 12 students. The thirteenth edition of Coastal Voices, an adjudicated anthology of student writing, will be published in June, and the deadline for submissions is March 10, 2023.

Coastal Voices is published annually by Celebration of Authors, Books and Community (CABC), a joint initiative of School District 46—Sunshine Coast and the Festival of the Written Arts. In previous years, the anthology has garnered anywhere from 700-900 submissions from students in schools up and down the coast. Volunteer adjudicators receive copies of the submissions and make difficult decisions about what to publish in the anthology, which usually includes around 150 pieces of writing.

John Lussier, one of the visionaries behind Coastal Voices and the President of the Festival of the Written Arts, says it is “great to see how this initiative has been embraced by teachers and students since it started in 2010. Reading the voices of these young writers and what matters to them is truly inspiring.”

Kirsten Deasey, District Principal at School District 46, also shares why the anthology is important: “it provides a rare opportunity for the voices of youth to be made visible and celebrated. Their words provide a window into their worlds.”

For twelve years, Edmund Arceo—publisher of Zoom magazine—has donated his expertise to ensure that Coastal Voices is a beautiful and professionally designed volume that honours the young writers and their work. You have our thanks, Edmund!

Students are invited to submit up to three pieces of poetry, short stories, personal narrative or essays. Maximum length is 500 words per submission. For more information about Coastal Voices, students can talk to their teachers, or email John Lussier at jlussier(at)sd46.bc.ca.

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