Contest wants Canadians to write to Anne of Green Gables

A letter-writing contest celebrating the 100th anniversary of Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables has been launched in Canada.

The contest urges Canadians to pay tribute to the feisty, fictional red-headed orphan from Prince Edward Island by writing a letter to Anne Shirley to describe what she means to them.

"My family is so pleased with these celebrations," said Kate Macdonald Butler, Montgomery's granddaughter, in a statement.

"I'm so excited about the letter-writing contest and can't wait to read the entries."

Letters must be 500 words or less;20 of them will be selected from four age categories.

The shortlisted letters will be judged by a jury comprising former governor general Adrienne Clarkson, newspaper columnist Roy MacGregor, TV book host Carolyn Weaverand Macdonald Butler.

"In my memoir, Heart Matters, I write about how Anne helped me, as a little immigrant girl, become a Canadian. Anne is the most important 'character' in my life! Count me in!" Clarkson said in a news release.

The winner in each age category will receive a $2,500 travel voucher to visit P.E.I., where they will get free tickets to Anne of Green Gables: The Musical. Winners and runners-up will also receive three official 100th anniversary books from Penguin Group.

Anne of Green Gables, first published in 1908, has inspired millions of readers around the world and been translated into 36 languages. It has spawned two films and at least half a dozen television movies.

Anne and Gilbert, The Musical, based on Montgomery's sequel novels to Anne of Green Gables, has enjoyed sold-out houses at the Harbourfront Jubilee Theatre in Summerside, P.E.I., since 2005.

The contest will kick off a year of celebrations slated to include a new book about Anne, the highly anticipated prequel Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson. As well, Penguin is publishing a special anniversary edition of the original book, containing a new introduction from two of Montgomery's grandchildren.

Entry forms can be downloaded through the "100 Years of Anne" website, Amazon.caand CanadaPost.com,or picked up at participating branches of Indigo, Shoppers Drug Mart andOverwaitea.

The contest is open to Canadians of all ages and closes April 30, 2008.