The Muskoka Novel Marathon (MNM) returned to its new location at the Port Sydney Community Hall for the second year on July 10-13, 2025, with its final celebration held on September 20th at the Huntsville office of YMCA Employment & Literacy Services, where trophies were awarded, the Best Novel winner announced, and the final fundraising total was revealed.
During the Marathon itself, almost forty writers gathered in person and online, both to write as much of the next potential Pulitzer winning novel as they could in 72 hours, and also to raise funds in support of the Y’s literacy programs for the Muskoka area. Funds raised go directly to programs such as ESL classes, permanent residency and citizenship preparation, and other vital services offered at no cost for local residents, particularly newcomers to the area.
With an influx of new residents to the area, especially those for whom English is not their first language, the ESL programming offered by the Y is even more vital, yet the programming still receives a limited amount of federal funding. Fundraising events such as the MNM provide much needed funds to ensure maximum outreach. MNM is proud to have been a loyal fundraiser to this cause for fifteen years and counting.
Danielle Neilson, Event Coordinator for the YMCA, Simcoe/Muskoka, praised the participants for their “passion for writing”, and thanked them for their fundraising efforts. “Because of your support, more children, families, and individuals in our community will walk through the doors of the YMCA and feel safe, supported, and inspired. Thank you for sharing your gifts, your creativity, and your hearts with us.”
The Marathon is also an opportunity for writers from all locations and walks of life to spend a dedicated 72 hours to their art, which for many is usually secondary to their daily lives and work situation. Although there are professional authors who join each year, there are some who use this opportunity to try their hand at writing fiction for the very first time. All participants have the choice to compete for the coveted Best Novel award, which brings with it a chance for the winner’s work to be sent to At Bay Press, a Canadian publisher MNM has worked with for several years. Previous Best Novel winners have even gone on to have their works published globally. While there can be only one winner, all contest participants receive feedback from our team of judges, which historically has included authors, publishers, agents and other literary specialists.
Co-Convenors KM Wehrstein and Emeleigh Stroud were thrilled with this year’s event. “The MNM is a mammoth undertaking,” said Stroud, “both for the volunteers who work throughout the year to ensure its success, and for the writers who travel from all over the continent to Port Sydney to spend a crazy 72 hours writing. We had around a dozen writers who chose to stay on site the whole time this year, so the designated sleeping area was pleasantly filled with sleeping bags, camping beds and even couch cushions. The atmosphere was electric, as all these creative souls came together for one weekend with a shared purpose of creating art. It truly was an incredible experience.”
2025 also saw the first Spanish contingent of the MNM, with five Latina writers competing for a separate Spanish language Best Novel award. Pilar Miralles, convenor of the inaugural Spanish Division, worked incredibly diligently finding a publisher, judges, and sponsors for the event, including Canada Habla Espanol, a national organization promoting Latin voices throughout Canada. Although there was no winner for the Spanish Best Novel award this year, all five participants thoroughly enjoyed their experience, and all have voiced their desire to return next year, potentially with more Latin writers, which is incredibly exciting for the future of MNM. Wehrstein described Miralles’ work in single-handedly organizing the Spanish division as “fantastic” and looks forward to her continued directorship next year.
During the Wrap-up event on September 20th, over twenty MNM writers, volunteers, judges, and family members joined together to celebrate the 2025 event and discover this year’s winner and the final fundraising amount. Individuals were celebrated for their fundraising totals, including Tracey Skochil, a writer who joined the July event in person despite hailing from Arizona, USA, who single-handedly raised $5,120 through her personal fundraising campaign. Skochil was honoured to receive the Remington Award for most amount raised virtually through Zoom from her home in Arizona. Wehrstein added that Skochil “blew away our previous individual fundraising record … She did an incredible job!” In fact, her personal contribution exceeded MNM 2023’s final fundraising total of $4,500!
As for the Best Novel Award, an Honorable Mention went to Utterson resident Cindy Watson with her novel “1306”, while the 2025 recipient of this award was local author and journalist Kathleen May, who also joined the event virtually and could not hold back her tears as her name was announced. May will now be connected to At Bay Press where she will have the opportunity to complete and edit her work, entitled “The Last Earthers”, under their guidance for potential publication. Congratulations, Kathleen!
Other award winners include: Paula Boon (Star Volunteer Award for her long-time contributions); Jennifer Britton (B.I.C. (Bum In Chair Award), and Most Prolific Award, with a grand total of 47,537 words); Glennys Katiusca Alchoufi (B.I.C.); Melissa Gold (Techie Award); Bonnie Boyd and Monica Larade (who share the Rookie of the Year award); and Emeleigh Stroud (Techie Award and Spirit Award).
The final fundraising total for 2025 was $15,128.50.
The 25th Muskoka Novel Marathon will be held July 16-19, 2026 at the same venue. Registration will open March 10th, 2026.
See attached photo taken September 20, 2025 at YMCA Employment and Learning Services, Huntsville, ON
Photograph credit: Danielle Neilson, Event Coordinator, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka
Pictured Standing, L-R: Monica Larade, Paula Boon, Jan Jacklin, Tracy Lapham-White, Ashley McGee (Site Manager of Learning Services, YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka: Employment and Learning Services
Kneeling, L-R: Emeleigh Stroud, Jodie Auckland, Maggie the service dog, Bonnie Boyd, KM Wehrstein, Pilar Miralles, Jennifer Britton, Apricot the rescue dog
On Zoom, L-R, top-bottom: Atiya Hakeem (Honolulu, HI), Louise Hypher, Lois Ward, Catherine Neal, Kathleen May, Corralys Cordero, Melissa Gold, Janet Nichols. Not pictured but attending via Zoom, Tracey Skochil (Gilbert, AZ)
