Competitions, Awards & Opportunities
An anthology of writing entered by a Writers Group i.e. a number of people who meet regularly to share and further their writing interests (TAFE/University groups are ineligible). The anthology must have been created within the preceding 12 months. Each group may only submit one entry and only one copy is required. Ask for competition guidelines before submitting.
Open Theme Competition run by the Fellowship of Australian Writers WA. This is an annual competition named after two well-known West Australian short story writers. There is a new judge every year. 3,000 words maximum, maximum 3 entries.
The Tom Collins Poetry Prize is an annual open competition, held since the 1970s. Maximum three entries per person.
Short Story competition open to entries in three categories: Adult, Youth, Children, with a limit of two stories per entry. Entrant’s name and address must appear on entry form only. Story title to appear on entries, and on the entry form for identification purposes. Please supply contact phone number. Entries restricted to South Australia. Entries not returned.
Awards for Short Story or Poetry (not necessarily in the style of Henry Lawson), 1,000 words maximum, open theme. Two sections: Primary School students, Years 3-6 (NSW) or other state equivalent; Secondary School students, Years 7-10 (NSW) or other state equivalent.
Presented in honour of Henry Lawson, who grew up in the Gulgong area. Open Written Poetry, for a ballad with good rhyme, rhythm and metre, no word or line limit.
The Gwen Harwood Poetry Prize is open to anyone. Entries must be previously unpublished poems only. Poem or linked series, 100 lines maximum. Visit website to enter.
Accepts poems between 20 and 60 lines on the theme of Homeland/Motherland. 10% of fees and anthology proceeds will be donated to the Worldwide Orphans Foundation (wwo.org). Please include the paypal reference number for your entry fee when emailing entries.
International Poetry writing competition for children and adults. School age categories (5-7 years, 8-10 years, 11-13 years, 14-15 years, 16-17 years)and open age categories (Open Bush, Open Other, Open Local). No word limit. Organisers reserve the right to publish/broadcast winning entries without fee to the author. Copyright remains with author thereafter. See website for conditions and further information.
Open to all ages. No theme or word limit. Opens: 6 April 2014. School age categories: Ages 5-17. Open age categories – Open Bush, Open Other and Open Local. We reserve the right to publish/broadcast winning entries without fee to the author. Copyright remains with the author thereafter. www.ipswichpoetryfeast.com.au
For an unpublished short stories to 1,000 words suitable to be read by children aged 7-10 years.
Named in honour of an avid Henry Lawson follower and the Society’s former patron. Award is for a recorded reading of an Australian poem by a poet of entrant’s choice. Submit a tape or CD of the performance poem. Up to 10 finalists are chosen and must perform at annual Literary Dinner (Saturday of June long weekend) in Gulgong to be eligible for award. Proudly supported by Essential Energy.
For previously unpublished memoirists, 5,000 words full-length memoir. Judging panel to be confirmed. First prize is £5,000.
This biennial competition is organised by The Neil Gunn Trust in partnership with High Life Highland. Writers worldwide are invited to choose one of the themes and interpret it in any way they wish – the entries do not have to be set in Scotland or during the time when Neil Gunn himself was writing. Stories up to 2500 words, written in English, Scots or a combination of both.
Poets are invited to respond to artworks selected from the Council Visual Art Collection. Each poem must be no longer than twelve lines, and may be in any genre of poetry. The artworks will be exhibited in the Council Office foyer and on the Council website.
The NSW Writers’ Centre Varuna Fellowship is open to writers in any genre who have a manuscript that is ready for the next stage of development. The winning writer receives a one-week residential fellowship at Varuna, the Writers’ House. Entrants must be members of the NSW Writers’ Centre.
For the best article of the year that appears in ‘Australiana’.
Poetry entries must be unpublished, and not entered in any other competition. Maximum 40 lines, typed on A4 paper with pen name only. Contact the Society for details about competitions and to confirm closing dates.
Humour – maximum 1500 words
Poems of any length, type or theme. Must be neatly written, typed, or lodged online. Winning poems will be published online every year. All other rights remain with the author.
Open to Australian journalists or writers whose work was published in the year from 1 September in the preceding year to 31 August. Entries can encompass subject matter including true crime and biographies through to political analysis, business writing, war reporting, investigative journalism and foreign correspondence.
Whitley Awards are presented for outstanding publications (print or electronic) containing a significant amount of information on the Australasian region fauna. More than one medal may be given each year. The prize may be withheld if submissions are of insufficient standard. Certificates of commendation (to author and to publisher) are given within a series of categories.
No prescribed qualifications required. Award is based on merit and past achievements or demonstrated ability for future achievement in any walk of life. Benefit to Australia is a significant factor. Fellowships are awarded for periods of four to eight weeks duration. Overseas travel only.
The World Nomads Travel Writing Scholarship gives three aspiring writers the opportunity to attend a travel writing workshop with a professional and widely-published travel writer (a different tutor each year). After completing the workshop, they will then put their writing skills to the test on a 10-day all-expenses-paid trip where they will document their adventures. This is a global opportunity. 2019 dates are to be confirmed.
Ten minute play competition. Black box theatre style no longer than 1500 words. Radio plays, monologues, comedy, drama, youth plays encouraged.