Organized by the Canadian Literary Association of Higher Education (CLAHE)
Exclusively Sponsored by Frontop Engineering Limited
Deep in our memories, our fathers may not have been men of many words, yet they stood firm, watching over us as we grew. Their love, often unspoken, is as solid as a mountain and as deep as a flowing stream.
As Father’s Day approaches, the Canadian Literary Association of Higher Education, with exclusive sponsorship from Frontop Engineering Limited, invites you to honor your father through writing. We encourage you to capture the real, complex, and profound moments that have shaped your life.
1. Theme
We are used to telling the whole, bright story of our fathers. But real memory is rarely so neat—it comes with gaps, things left unsaid, and emotions that are hard to name.
Some fathers are quiet, some try hard but fumble. Some stay only a short while, others are always there yet feel far away. They are not always right, nor are they always good at showing love, but in their own way, they helped make us who we are today.
We’ve all heard plenty about the “great father.” But the one you carry in your heart might be stubborn, distant, or even absent. He may have loved you, or he may have hurt you. He is not perfect—he may never have learned how to be a “good father”—but he was real.
This Father’s Day, we want more than praise. We want to read about the disappointments left unspoken, the understanding that came too late, the silences that remain, and the bonds that still hold.
Write on the theme of “Father.” Choose your own title. Write about the person you knew, not a polished version of “fatherhood.” Feel free to explore paternal love, growing up, family, memory, understanding, and reconciliation.
2. Submission Period
April 10, 2026 – May 20, 2026
3. Requirements
1. All entries must be original and previously unpublished on public platforms. Submissions should be sincere, clearly focused, and well-written. We are not looking for empty sentiment or AI-generated content—we want writing with warmth and honesty.
2. All forms of writing are welcome (essays, personal narratives, fiction, poetry, etc.).
Suggested length for prose and fiction: 800–3000 words.
3. Please include your name and a short bio at the end of your piece.
4. Selected works will be compiled into an anthology and featured on the Association’s website and official social media channels.
4. How to Submit
Send your work to the Association’s email address:
jianadagaoxiaowenxueshe@gmail.com
In the subject line, please write:
Father’s Day Submission + Author Name + Work Title
Write of your father with your pen, and in doing so, find your own truth. May these words help us see him—and ourselves—anew.
Canadian Literary Association of Higher Education (CLAHE)
March 28, 2026
