James Whitehill has won the Muskoka Novel Marathon and, in the process, set a record as the youngest champion.
The 11-year-old bested the record set by his parent, Tracey Lapham, in 2006 when they won at the age of 13.
“It was great,” says James, who was one of 31 writers who took part in the event virtually and in-person at the Port Sydney Community Hall. “The community sense is great. It feels really at home and everyone’s so kind. It’s really nice to get a chance to write whatever I want, to talk to people, get feedback.”
James and Tracey were side-by-side for the contest and he says they wrote an “interconnected story.”
“We’re planning to write a book together,” he adds.
Tracey says they plan to enter the contest again next year.
“With James being here, it feels so real, because of when I was 13,” they say. “It’s full circle. I see myself in him, but he’s his own person too. It’s cool, the ways he’s the same as me and it’s cool how we’re different. He’s come out his shell a lot, just in the past three days.”
Karen Wehrstein, convenor and media liaison for the Muskoka Novel Marathon, says the event has been held every year since 2002.
“The Marathon is a combination three-day intensive writing retreat, writing contest and fundraiser for YMCA literacy education in Muskoka,” she explains. “It has raised more than $240,000 in its history, and more than one writer has gone on to publish one or more works started as Marathon projects, one – Amy Stuart – penning an international bestseller.”
Wehrstein says $12,508 has been raised this year but adds more could be donated prior to the final total being announced in Sept. 21.
