The 2025 Norfolk Literary Prize Awards Ceremony brought together writers and readers from across the County for an evening celebrating creativity, community, and storytelling.
Held Friday night at the Vittoria Community Centre, the event honoured outstanding achievements in both short story and poetry categories across children, youth, and adult divisions. Guests enjoyed readings, presentations, and recognition of the next generation of Norfolk’s literary voices.
Among the evening’s highlights, Jennifer Swan received the Laureate Award for her short story “Ghost in the Gears”, while Annica Sayers earned the Youth Laureate Award for her poem “SHE.”
Winning submissions will be published later this month, with printed copies available for purchase and to borrow from Norfolk County Public Library branches. The publication will showcase all award-winning works, continuing to inspire creativity across the community.
2025 Norfolk Literary Prize Winners
Poetry Category
Children
1st – Ilse Tozer: “Starshine”
2nd – Annica Sayers: “SHE”
3rd – Ellie Meulemester: “Emotions”
Youth
1st – Michelle Awoyemi: “Last Goodbye”
2nd – Jack Palermo: “Tomorrow I’ll Just Be Yesterday”
3rd – Gregory Martin: “Not My Throne”
Adults
1st – Johnathan Werynski: “Rational Gravity: A Love Poem That Hasn’t Yet”
2nd – Matt LeBlanc: “No One Cried For Me”
3rd – David Charles Licitra: “The War Within”
Special Award: Youth Laureate Award – Annica Sayers, “SHE”
Short Story Category
Children
1st – Ilse Tozer: “The Author”
2nd – Isabelle Pelland: “Sophie’s Drama”
3rd – Layliana McMaster: “A Life Lived in Her Shadow”
Youth
1st – Aurora Tozer: “Twilight on the Future”
2nd – Michelle Awoyemi: “The Girl Who Spoke to the Shadows”
3rd – Gregory Martin: “The Letters I Write”
Adults
1st – Jean Mottashed: “The Bellkeeper”
2nd – Matt LeBlanc: “False Cure – A Pearl Collins Investigation”
3rd – Jennifer Swan: “Ghost in the Gears”
Special Award: Laureate Award – Jennifer Swan, “Ghost in the Gears”