The writing contest, open to all residents of the Downtown Eastside in Vancouver, is a part of the annual DTES Writers' Jamboree, a one-day literary festival that features various panels and workshops.

Held at the Carnegie Community Centre, the Jamboree is organized by the Writer's Studio at Simon Fraser University, with support from the Vancouver Public Library, People's Co-op Bookstore and the Geist Foundation.

The Downtown Eastside is one of Canada's poorest neighbourhoods. It is also the site of vigorous community activism and home to many writers.

Listed below are the 2012 writing contest winners:

"Organic Curare" by Jim Ryder

"Introduction to Group Therapy" by Kevin McDonough

"Nothing Happening" by Fran Diamond

The winning entries appeared in the print version of issue 86.

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