Three Day Novel Contest Hits the TV Screen
Facts and Findings on Canada’s Most Unique Literary Contest
Nov 3, 2009
The Three Day Novel Contest is one of the most unique writing contests in the world where authors get to explore the great art of writing a novel… in 72 hours. The contest, which began in a Vancouver bar in 1977, has recently become the subject for a new reality show airing on Book Television on Tuesday nights.
The Three Day Novel Contest Television Series
The series was shot in 2006 when 12 authors were locked inside Chapters bookstore in Edmonton for the 72 hours during the contest. The writers battle against the trials and tribulations of writing a novel such as writers block and fatigue, but are also plagued by the annoyances of store customers, sleepless nights and of course, constant surveillance from the camera crew.
The series will feature seven episodes that promise to be quirky and entertaining for writers and reality-television addicts alike. The twelve writers all have unique stories to tell and this is one of the most endearing aspects of this new television series.
Reality television series have been made about almost every subject under the sun and it was only a matter of time until writers were thrown into the small screen spotlight. The series will air Tuesday nights on Canada’s Book Television channel, a speciality channel produced by CHUM television.
The Three Day Novel Beginnings
The Three Day Novel contest first began in a downtown Vancouver bar where a group of writers were bragging about their feats. This lead to a challenge – to write the best novel in three days and a worldwide competition ensued. In addition to a cash prize, the winner will also have his/her novel published by a Canadian independent publisher, which in the past has included Arsenal Pulp Press and Anvil Press.
The Three Day Novel Contest Today
The Three Day Novel Contest continues to be a worldwide hit during the Labour Day long weekend and while parents prepare for the new school year and athletes compete in their last baseball tournament of the season, aspiring authors from around the world set up for a long weekend of writing mayhem. About 400 to 500 writers enter the contest every year and around 60% of them actually manage to complete and submit a novel. Some of the past winners have included Tom Wamsley, Todd Klink and Brendan McLeod.
For those aspiring writers and novelists who want to put their writing talents to the test, the 2010 contest will be take place during Labour Day weekend in September. All the details, including a handy survival guide to preparing your mind, body and soul for this literary marathon can be found at the Three Day Novel Contest Website.
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