2024 Adjudicators
J.C. Kavanagh
CHILDREN AND YOUTH ADJUDICATOR
Voted Best Local Author in South Simcoe (2021), it's obvious that writing is a favourite activity for J.C. Kavanagh. Early career days revolved around the newspaper business as journalist and photographer and J.C. worked her way up to the role of Editor. She was instrumental in launching a small newspaper in Bradford West Gwillimbury, reporting local news and photographing people, events, sports games and the occasional crotchety politician. In 2014 J.C., with the support of her partner, Ian, jumped full-time into creative written nine children's picture books and three novels. Her latest novel is the final book in the award-winning Twisted Climb trilogy, titled, A Bright Darkness. Other books in the series include Darkness Descends, short-listed for the prestigious Word Guild award in the Young Adult general marketing category. Darkness Descends is also the winner of the 2018 Critters Readers Poll for Best Young Adult Book and sequel to the award-winning The Twisted Climb (voted Best Young Adult book 2016, P&E Readers' Award). All three novels are published by Alberta-based BWL Publishing. J.C. lives north of Alliston and finds copious writing ideas from the wooded areas and wildlife surrounding her property. Summers are spent harnessing the winds on Georgian Bay's pristine waters.
Katie Tallo
ADULT SHORT STORY ADJUDICATOR
Katie Tallo grew up in Ottawa where she studied Film, English Literature, and TV Broadcasting. She then embarked on a decades-long, award-winning career as a screenwriter and director, collaborating on projects in animation, television, and motion pictures. In 2013, after winning an international contest for unpublished women writers, she landed an agent and a publishing deal. Katie's debut, Dark August, was an instant international bestseller. She has since written two more novels in the trilogy including Poison Lilies and her upcoming thriller, Buried Road (Dec. 3, 2024). Katie lives in the Wellington West neighborhood of Ottawa with her husband. She is currently working on her fourth novel.
Colleen Williams
POETRY AND SCRIPT ADJUDICATOR
Colleen Williams has performed professionally in theatre, film and television for over 25 years. She received the Dora Mavor Moore Award ( Toronto ) for her role of Mary in Saved. Her favourite roles include Mrs. Warren in Mrs. Warren's Profession, Mrs. Bergman in Spring Awakening, Charlotte Corday in Marat/Sade, and Molly in Origin of the Species. She can be seen in Serendipity, To Die For, Map of the World, Welcome to Mooseport, Detroit Rock City, Road to Avonlea, Wind at my Back and Goosebumps, among others. Colleen directed the Chalmers Award-winning play Ditch, among many others.
She taught school before entering the acting profession and is currently engaged in writing poetry.