CBC Radio launches Canada Writes, Monday, Oct. 1
A National writing challenge that plays out on radio and online.

Calling all quick-witted Canadians who dare test their writing talents against others across the country. CBC Radio is searching for Canadians from all walks of life who are ready to play CANADA WRITES, a fast-paced new writing challenge, by entering their best 200 words.

Between Monday, October 1 and Friday, October 12, Canadians can submit their works, of 200 words or less, in the following categories: blogs, songs, advertisements, humour and movie pitches. CBC Radio will accept entries online at www.cbc.ca/canadawrites. One entry per person, per category, and entrants must be age of majority in their province of residence, and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

"CANADA WRITES is an exciting, beat-the-clock challenge," said Susan Feldman, executive producer of literary programming for CBC Radio. "We're looking for Canadians who have a passion for words, and are ready to put their work under the country's microscope and have some fun with it."

Maritimers are invited to tune in to MARITIME NOON, on Monday, October 1st, for the launch of the contest in this region. Joining host Costas Halavrezos will be two wordsmiths. Jackie Torrens and Nelson Cabral will decide which entries from residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island make the grade. The best works from each region will be posted online as they compete for five spots in the national CANADA WRITES challenge.

Jackie Torrens is an award-winning playwright and actor living in Halifax. She has written for film, television and radio. Nelson Cabral is the creative director with an advertising agency in Sackville, New Brunswick. During Monday's MARITIME NOON show, Jackie and Nelson will share tips on how to craft a strong piece of writing. Over the next two weeks they'll go through the submissions. Their list of nominees will proceed to the next leg of the CANADA WRITES competition.

All this culminates in a national write-off, to be broadcast nationally on CBC Radio One in November. Host Jian Ghomeshi will challenge the five finalists to push their writing limits. Over three days, contestants will face timed writing challenges, encouragement and criticism from a panel of expert judges, and public scrutiny. Listeners can play along online and vote for a people's choice award winner. Pencils will break, pages will tear and keyboard will be pounded until a CANADA WRITES winner is crowned.

Full details and contest rules can be found at www.cbc.ca/canadwrites.