Brampton youth becomes published author after winning annual contest

A Brampton youth has become a published author after winning a creative writing contest.

A Brampton youth has become a published author after winning a creative writing contest.

Tvisha Lakhani, a grade 7 student from Mount Pleasant Village Public School in Brampton and winner of the national education charity, Ripple Foundation’s, 2019/20 Kids Write 4 Kids creative writing contest, recently became a published author with the launch of the winning storybook, ‘Through The Mirror,’ with proceeds pledged to the winner’s charity of choice, Right To Play Canada.  

The annual competition will feature Lakhani’s novel published in paperback on Amazon as well as in e-book format on Amazon, Google Play, iBookstore and Overdrive.

Brynne Storey from North Vancouver, was also a winner and will see their story ‘The Sheeps’ Journey’ published on the same platforms. 

The storybook is professionally illustrated by Vivian Chen, a Toronto based illustrator, designer and 2020 graduate from Ontario College of Art and Design University.

The book retails at $9.99 CAD in print and $3.99 CAD digitally and proceeds from book sales will be donated to Right To Play Canada for the rest of the year. 

The stories were judged by a panel that featured previous KW4K winners and renowned panellists, including The Globe and Mail’s Book Editor, Judith Pereira, children’s book columnist for The Globe and Mail, Jeffrey Canton and Associate Producer at CBC Books and Canada Reads, Jane van Koeverden.

The winning stories came out on top out of 320 story submissions from young aspiring Canadian authors in grades 4-8. 

“What I especially admired about Through the Mirror and The Sheeps’ Journey was the strong voices of the young writers and how well they managed their stories – things made sense all the way through, and the writers all had control of their material,” said Jeffrey Canton.

“I was both engaged and interested in what they were saying and I certainly felt that they were not only well-written but truly creative.”

Ivy Wong, founder of Ripple Foundation said, “Every year we receive so many amazing, heart-warming stories from super talented youth across the country. Tvisha’s story really stood out from the crowd, and we are so excited that her talents have been recognized and people everywhere can now enjoy this short story!”

“And, it’s always rewarding to remember that for every book purchased, the proceeds will be helping Right To Play Canada,” she added.

“We look forward to welcoming even more talented young writers to the competition opening in Fall 2020!”