Competitions, Awards & Opportunities
Original non-fiction essay (in English) between 3,000 and 7,000 words. Only open to Australian citizens or residents. All non-fiction styles are eligible. Non-defamatory and not infringing privacy of others. Multiple entries acceptable, but entries must not be under consideration for any other award. See website for terms and entry forms.
American competition, open to anyone writing in English. Submit full length manuscripts of original poetry in English, between 60-85 typewritten pages. Winner receives a publishing contract and $2500 cash reward.
Awarded to the best novel written by an Australian author that depicts women and girls in a positive way or otherwise empowers the status of women and girls in society. In 2014, the prize pool is $55,000, including $50,000 for the winning title.
The CHASS Australia Prizes honour distinguished achievements by Australians working, studying, or training in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) sectors, including academics, practitioners, philanthropists, policy makers, and students. Nominations have now opened for four prizes. Two prizes are sponsored by Routledge (cash prize of $3,500 each): one for a non-fiction book/e-book that enriches Australian cultural and intellectual life, the second for ‘Distinctive Work’- an exceptional artistic performance, exhibition, film, television show, p…
Short Story (max 3000 words), Memoir (Max 1500 words), Poetry (free and traditional combined)(Max 80 lines), Short Story (Max 800 words), Boree Log Bush Verse (max 80 lines).
National competition on theme ‘faraway’ seeks short stories, poetry, and illustrations from writers aged 7-18. Prizes include vouchers up to $250 towards Creative Write-it courses, including online mentorships for young people who are ‘faraway’, fantastic for rural and remote young people. Each category is divided into three age groups: 7-9, 10-13, and 14-18.
Category A – free verse,open style, open theme. Category B – traditional, rhymed or structured verse, open style, open theme. Maximum 60 lines. See website for further details.
The Jean Stone Award is given on the even biennial year for a poem or group of poems up to 60 lines. All entries must be unpublished, in English and typed. Check with organisers to confirm competition details.
The Marjorie Barnard Award is for a short story of no more than 3,000 words. Entrants are to be permanent residents of Australia and the work should be original, unpublished, not have won any previous competition at the time of entry, typed and double spaced on one side of A4 paper. Check with organisers to confirm details.
An article writing competition on an open theme for punchy (even opinionated!) articles up to 2,000 words.
An award for a short story on any theme to a maximum of 3000 words. In honour of the late Angelo B. Natoli, who for many years served as the Honorary Solicitor to FAW (Victoria) Inc. One copy of each story is required; more than one entry per author may be submitted.
For a first book of poetry published after November in the preceding year. The book must have at least 20 pages of text. Self-published works are eligible. Publishers or authors are welcome to submit entries. Three copies of the book are required. Entries will not be returned. See website for entry forms (under National Literary Awards).
An award for a work of fiction by an Australian author, first published after November of previous year, and not previously published locally or overseas. Two copies of the book are required and will not be returned.
An award for an unpublished short story of up to 3000 words. This award honours Jennifer Burbidge, who suffered severe developmental difficulties and died soon after her 21st birthday, and whose story is told in Forever Baby. Royalties from the book help to fund the sponsorship of this award. Stories may deal with any aspect of the lives of those who suffer some form of physical, intellectual or mental health disability and/or the impact of disability on their families in an Australian situation. One copy of each story is required; more than one entry pe…
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.