Norma Epstein Foundation Award for Creative Writing: National

Entries are now closed for the 2023 National Epstein Awards. The entry process will re-open in the early fall of 2024 for the 2025 competition.

The Norma Epstein Foundation Awards in Creative Writing at University College at the University of Toronto were established in 1946 in memory of Norma Epstein (UC '45). Biennial national prizes are offered in the categories of Poetry, Drama, and Short Story. The total amount available for the next competition will be approximately $8,000. Any student currently registered in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a Canadian university may participate.

Past UC and National Norma Epstein Award winners include David Adams Richards, Barbara Amiel, Stephanie Bolster, David Cronenberg, Janice Kulyk Keefer, Michelle Landsberg, Anne Michaels, Michael Ondaatje, James Reaney, Colleen Thibaudeau, and Miriam Waddington.

Conditions Governing the National Norma Epstein Awards:

1. These awards are open only to students currently registered in an undergraduate or graduate program in a Canadian university. Note: Students enrolled in University College at the University of Toronto or in a UC program course must enter creative work in the UC Competition.
2. Students may submit no more than one entry in each of the following categories: Poetry; Drama; and Short Story.
3. Entries in the categories of Poetry, Drama, and Short Story may include a poem or small group of thematically related poems of up to 1,200 words, a play of up to 10,000 words, or a short story of up to 7,500 words.
4. You may submit previously published work.
5. The names of the award winners will appear on the University College website.
6. The next deadline for the National Norma Epstein Award will be in spring 2025.