Author and storyteller Laura Thomas has once again teamed up with Delta's parks, recreation and culture department to offer a province-wide summer writing contest for budding authors.

Last year, more than 40 young scribes from across the Lower Mainland submitted short stories and this year Thomas expects even more.

"Word is getting out beyond the Lower Mainland and because the contest is free, professionally run and easy to enter, it's proving to be a boon for young writers."

When asked how the contest has influenced their writing, last year's winners responded enthusiastically.

"Being a winner has encouraged me to write more," said Noa Wang.

Monica Nederend said, "It's given me confidence in my own abilities."

When asked why she entered the contest in the first place, Nederend added, "I'd entered the year before and won second prize. Last year I entered to see if I could top that. The prizes weren't a bad incentive either."

This year, thanks to ongoing community support, prizes will go to the top six writers in each category.

"Last year we gave prizes to the top three," said Thomas. "I keep saying that Delta is going to be a hot spot for emerging writing talent and, once again, sponsors are stepping up and making that happen."

For the third year, Ricki Willing of Sutton Seafair Realty is donating one of the top prizes -- a $100 Chapters gift card. Kidsbooks in Vancouver is back again this year to offer a $25 gift certificate.

New Delta-based sponsors include author Darlene Foster, Werner's Auto Klinik, Diana Crosby of Ladner Baptist Church, Black Bond Books, Sure Copy and Delta Continuing Education. As in previous years, the winning stories will be published in the Delta Optimist.

In addition to offering more prizes, Thomas has made a few other changes this year, including the addition of an "incentive" category for kids ages six to nine, lowering the maximum word count from 1,500 to 1,000, only allowing one story per writer and bringing on a third judge.

Thomas said the judges are looking for stories that focus on one well-developed character who has one specific problem that is resolved or not during the story. She also said the winning stories will have less plot and more vivid, sensory detail.

Examples can be found on Thomas' website where the top stories from the 2009 contest are available for reading.

The contest closes Aug. 15. Entries can be mailed to JA Short Story Contest c/o South Delta Recreation Centre, 1720-56th St., Delta, B.C., V4L 2B1.

Winners will be announced mid-September. Complete details are online at www.agentstory.net.