Calling all aspiring writers — the Toronto Star’s annual short story contest is back.

The 42nd competition, one of the biggest of its kind in North America, is co-sponsored by the Humber School for Writers and the Toronto Public Library.

It launches Saturday and is open to anyone aged 16 and up living in Ontario.

The first-place winner will get $5,000 in prize money, their story published in the paper and online, and the chance to study writing tuition-free.

“It’s been fantastic,” says last year’s winner, John Hart, of the experience.

“Having the win has given me validation,” he says. “Just to have a boost of confidence.”

Hart, a Toronto-based fundraiser, took first prize for his moving story “Walk With Me,” about caring for a sick loved one, inspired by his own relationship with his grandmother.

The 46-year-old chose to take the 30-week creative writing correspondence course at the Humber School for Writers (valued at about $3,400).

First-place winners also have the option of taking the weeklong summer workshop at Humber’s Lakeshore campus in Toronto (valued at about $1,000).

Hart’s mentor at the Humber program, Canadian writer Dianne Warren, has been “insightful and encouraging,” he says.

“It keeps me going,” he adds, “instead of writing just for myself.”

The second-place winner gets a $2,000 cash prize and the third-place finisher receives $1,000.

All the winners’ stories will be published in the Star.

Lena Scholman of Hamilton came in second place last year with her story “North of Us,” and Nicholas Anthony James Pullen of Ottawa took third place with a story called “Famous Blue.”

Judges from the Humber School for Writers will read all entries and narrow them down to a shortlist of 20 to 25.

The final winners will be decided by a panel that includes Toronto Star books editor Deborah Dundas, Toronto Public Library city librarian Vickery Bowles, and Richard Ouzounian, former Star theatre critic and author of six books.

Hart, who carves out time for writing in the evenings, is now working on a novel. He says the Humber program has allowed him to make contact in the publishing world.

“It was a surprise that I could write something that people would respond to,” he says.

He entered the competition twice before winning and encourages others to put themselves out there in the same way.

“I wasn’t expecting to win but of course I wouldn’t have won if I didn’t submit,” he says.

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“So I think you just, just submit.”

The deadline to submit your story is Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. The winners will be announced in April.

For full rules and information, visit thestar.com/shortstory. Submissions should be mailed or dropped off to: Short Story Contest, Toronto Star, One Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M5E 1E6.