Booraddling

Hey there kids!

Last week I resigned my positions within the state government dept. of health, plus the two other similar positions aligned with the same for a number of reasons. It broke my heart to do so, however, so it goes.

Resultant, as of today I am blowing the cobwebs from ‘Mini’, ‘Bast’, ‘The Quick Red Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Brown Dog’, ‘The Wiggliest Bottom’, and the various short story compilation’s I have floating around. As such, it is a day of reading, and most likely weeping. The theory being that with tomorrow’s month long course beginning, what time I do not spend in dedication to learning and returning to writing, the rest will be spent editing and rewriting.  Here;s to hoping I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew.

To the left, a heads up on up coming competitions (http://www.austwriters.com/AWRfiles/competitions.htm)  as shown below. If you aren’t interested, click the picture above a watch what follows.

Hamish

AUSTRALIAN WRITERS’ RESOURCE COMPETITIONS Home Last updated 08/03/2015 The following information has been extracted from other websites and no assurance can be given as its correctness. Give your hard work the best chance to win, make sure that you follow the entry requirements! If the entry conditions don’t specify it, then generally you can submit the same entry to different competitions at the same time – but if your entry places in one then you should inform the organisers of the other competitions. It is then up to them whether your entry is disqualified or not. Allow for time to post and double-check closing dates, particularly if the organiser is in another time zone. This is becoming more important to check as we are being more frequently approached by international competitions to be included on our list.

NEW LISTINGS THIS MONTH

Alan Marshall Short Story Award
Bayside Writing Competition
Bronze Swagman Award
Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards
Epic! Short Story Competition for Primary and Secondary School Students
Grieve Writing Competition
HBCA Annual Writing Competition
HBCA Annual Youth Writing Competition
Henry Savery National Short Story Award
My Brother Jack Awards
Peter Cowan 600 Short Story Competition
“Shear Stories” Short Story Competition
Sheila Malady Short Story Competition
Shore Scripts Screenwriting Competition
Society of Women Writers NSW Inc Competitions
Tasmania Literary Prize
Text Prize
The Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award
The Best of Times Short Story Competition
The Moth International Short Story Prize
Victorian Veteran Community Story Writing and Art Competition
Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival Short Story Competition
ZineWest 2015

THROUGH THE YEAR

Field of Words Writing Competition
Closing Date: Bi-Annual
Open to: Australian Citizens 18 years or older
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1000 – 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $20
Prize:First: $500, Runner-up: $100

Needle in the Hay
Closing Date: Weekly and Monthly competitions – see website
Open to: Per entry details
Theme: Per entry details
Accepts: Per entry details
Size: Per entry details
Entry Fee: Per entry details
Prize:Per entry details

Spinetinglers Monthly Short Story Competition
UK COMPETITION
Closing Date: 15th of each Month
Open to: All
Theme: Dark fiction
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: £100 and publication in annual Anthology, Second: £50 and possible publication, Third, Fourth & Fifth: £25 and possible publication

MARCH 2015

Castaways Poetry Prize
Closing Date: 13/03/2015
Open to: All
Theme: All entered poems must be inspired by, drawn upon, or use the theme of images in the Castaways Web gallery.
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 24 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $200 and two copies of the 2015 Castaways Sculpture Awards catalogue containing the winning poem. Second x 2: $100

Australian Bush Poetry Championships Junior Competitions – Written Section
Closing Date: 20/03/2015
Open to: Students
Theme: Australian,Australians and/or the Australian way of life
Accepts: Bush Poetry
Size: One side of A4 preferred
Entry Fee: $2
Prize: Total pool of $130 plus merchandise shared across four sections

NEW LISTING
The Sheila Malady Short Story Competition
Closing Date: 21/03/2015
Open to: All
Theme: What Lady Macbeth right? “What’s done cannot be undone”
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $200 & 2 tickets to the Community Play performance of “Macbeth”, Local prize: Collins Bookstore voucher & 2 tickets to the Community Play performance of “Macbeth”

British Theatre Challenge
UK COMPETITION
Closing Date: 30/03/2015
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Play
Size: One Act, running time 10 – 30 minutes, more than one actor
Entry Fee: £15
Prize: First: 10 plays selected: Given a full performance at The Courtyard Theatre, London – developed by professional directors – performed by professional actors – given written assessments by theatre professionals – considered for publication by Lazy Bee Scripts – filmed in rehearsal or performance, Audience favourite: £250

NEW LISTING
Murray Book Prize
Closing Date: 30/03/2015
Open to: Australian Citizens and Residents for Taxation Purposes over the age of 18 years & self-published or unpublished writers
Theme: None
Accepts: Novel
Size: No specified limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: a publishing contract with The Publishing Academy, a Division of Murray Books, Highly Commended (1 per category: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Children’s, Travel): a free appraisal/critique of their submission by Peter Murray, along with the opportunity to discuss their work with a view to future publication.

Nillumbik Ekphrasis Poetry Award 2015
Closing Date: 30/03/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Poets are invited to respond to selected artworks from the Nillumbik Shire Council Art Collection. Artworks can be viewed at Nillumbik Shire Council, Civic Drive, Greensborough or online atwww.victoriancollections.net.au by searching Nillumbik Shire Council Art Collection ekphrasis 2015
Accepts: Poems
Size: 12 lines
Entry Fee: $11 per poem (Youth Prize:Nil)
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $300, Third: $200, Youth Prize: $150 (11-18 years old)

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize
IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 31/03/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Poetry written by an adult for children (aged 7-11)
Accepts: Poetry
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: €12
Prize: €1,000

Henry Lawson Festival
Closing Date: 31/03/2015
Open to: All

Theme: Australian
Accepts: Section 1: Class 1: Traditional Verse
Size: 48 lines
Entry Fee: $15
Prize: First: $450, Second: $200

Theme: Australian
Accepts: Section 1: Class 2: Humorous Verse
Size: 48 lines
Entry Fee: $15
Prize: First: $250, Second: $100
*
Theme: None
Accepts: Section 1: Class 3: Free Verse
Size: 48 lines
Entry Fee: $15
Prize: First: $250, Second: $100
*
Theme: None
Accepts: Section 1: Class 4: Verse by High School Student (under 18 years by closing date)
Size: 48 lines
Entry Fee: Nil for first 2, $5 thereafter (School/class entries: $40 for groups of more than 5 students)
Prize: First: $150, Second: $50
*
Theme: None
Accepts: Section 1: Class 5: Verse by Primary School Student
Size: 48 lines
Entry Fee: Nil for first 2, $5 thereafter (School/class entries: $30 for groups of more than 5 students)
Prize: First: $50 & Medallion, Second: $25 & Medallion, Highly Commended: Medallion

SECTION 1 OVERALL WINNER: Festival Patron’s Statuette

Theme: None
Accepts: Section 1: Class 1: Short Story
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $15
Prize: First: $500, Second: $200
*
Theme: None
Accepts: Section 2: Class 2: Short Story by High School Student (under 18 years by closing date)
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil for first 2, $5 thereafter (School/class entries: $40 for groups of more than 5 students)
Prize: First: $150, Second: $50
*
Theme: None
Accepts: Section 2: Class 3: Short Story by Primary School Student
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil for first 2, $5 thereafter (School/class entries: $30 for groups of more than 5 students)
Prize: First: $50 & Medallion, Second: $25 & Medallion, Highly Commended: Medallion
*
SECTION 2 OVERALL WINNER: Harold Goodwin Memorial Statuette

Nairda Lyne Award
Closing Date: 31/03/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Short story suitable for children agend 8-12 years
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $100 and name inscribed on a plaque in the State Library Launceston Branch, Best Tasmanian: Hobart Bookshop voucher

National Henry Lawson Society Award
Closing Date: 31/03/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Australia, Australians and/or the Australian way of life
*
Accepts: Category A: Traditional Rhyming Verse
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: Members: Nil, Non-Members: $5 for first and $3 thereafter (Under 19: $2)
Prize: First: $1,000, Second: $500, Third: $250, Under 19: $250
*
Accepts: Category B: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Members: Nil, Non-Members: $5 for first and $3 thereafter (Under 19: $2)
Prize: First: $1,000, Second: $500, Third: $250, Under 19: $250

Positive Words Mini Competition – March
Closing Date: 31/03/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Banana
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $1.40 in stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words

NEW LISTING
“Shear Stories” Short Story Competition
Closing Date: 31/03/2015
Open to: All writers who have not earned more than $10,000 from writing in the last 12 months
Theme: A link to shearing or the world of sheep and wool

Accepts: Open Short Story
Size: 1,000 – 5,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $1,000

Accepts: Secondary School (age 12 – 18 years) Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $200
*
Accepts: Primary School (age 5 – 12 years) Short Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $100

W Y Yeats Poetry Prize
Closing Date: 31/03/2015
Open to: Australian residents
Theme: Open
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: $8.50 for first entry ($5.00 each entry thereafter)
Prizes: First: $500 , Second: $100, Commendation: Certificates

APRIL 2015

The Overland NUW Fair Australia Prize
Closing Date: 01/04/2015
Open to: All
Theme: See Website

Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: $5,000

Accepts: Essay
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: $5,000

Accepts: Poetry
Size: 88 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: $5,000

Graphics & Cartoons section available

NEW LISTING
Epic! Short Story Competition for Primary and Secondary Students
Closing Date: 02/04/2015
Open to: Australian Primary and Secondary Studets aged 5 to 18
Theme: “Home is …”

Accepts: Primary School Students: Short Story
Size: 300 words
Entry Fee: Nil (but a donation is welcome)
Prizes: First: Notebook laptop, Second: Camcorder, Third: Digital camera, Highly Commended: Book pack

Accepts: Secondary School Students: Short Story
Size: 300 words
Entry Fee: Nil (but a donation is welcome)
Prizes: First: Notebook laptop, Second: Camcorder, Third: Digital camera, Highly Commended: Book pack

NEW LISTING
Text Prize
Closing Date: 02/04/2015
Open to: Permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand
Theme: Written for Young Adults and children
Accepts: Fiction or non-fiction
Size: At least 20,000 words
Entry Fee: $25
Prizes: A publishing contract with an $10,000 advance

Pan Macmillan’s Bad Romeo
Closing Date: 03/04/2015
Open to: Australian and New Zealand residents
Theme: Using characters from Willam Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: One on One meeting with Pan Macmillan’s Commissioning Editor

NEW LISTING
Peter Cowan 600 Short Story Competition
Closing Date: 10/04/2015
Open to: Residents of Australia
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 600 words
Entry Fee: $10, $20 for 3, $30 for 5l
Prizes: First: $100, Second: $100, Third: $50, Novice Writer Award: $100, Julian Cowan Youth Award: $100, Highly Commended x 4: Certificate, Commended x 4: Certificate

Cancer Council Essay Competition
Closing Date: 23/04/2015
Open to: Students currently enrolled in a medical course at an Australian University
Theme: Research and the changing landscape of oncology
Accepts: Essay
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: To attend the International Summer School ‘Oncology for Medical Students’ in Vienna 8th-17th July 2015. Cancer Council Australia will pay for registration, an economy class airfare, two weeks accommodation and living allowance (to a total of $8,000)

NEW LISTING
Bayside Writing Competition
Closing Date: 24/04/2015
Open to: Living in Australia
Theme: None

Accepts: Open Competition – Short Story
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Bayside winner: $250

Accepts: Open Competition – Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Bayside winner: $250

Accepts: 13 – 17 years Micro Story
Size: 250 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $350, Bayside winner: $200

Accepts: 12 and under – Short Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250, Bayside winner: $100

SCLA Writers’ Competition
Closing Date: 24/04/2015
Open to: Residents of South-East Queensland
Theme: None

Accepts: Category 1: Open Short Story
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: SCLA Members: $7, Non-members: $10
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $50, Highly Commended: $25

Accepts: Category 2: Open Memoir
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: SCLA Members: $7, Non-members: $10
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $50, Highly Commended: $25

Accepts: Category 3: Open Poem – Rhyming
Size: 15 – 40 lines
Entry Fee: SCLA Members: $7, Non-members: $10
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $50, Highly Commended: $25

Accepts: Category 4: Open Poem – Free Verse
Size: 15 – 40 lines
Entry Fee: SCLA Members: $7, Non-members: $10
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $50, Highly Commended: $25

Accepts: Category 5: Short Story – High school student
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $50, Highly Commended: $25

Accepts: Category 6: Short Story – Primary school student
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $50, Highly Commended: $25

NEW LISTING
My Brother Jack Awards
Closing Date: 24/04/2015
Open to: People who live, work or study in the City of Glen Eira
Special Theme: World War One – eligible for a special prize of $1,000 (sponsored by Caulfield and Bentleigh RSL)

Avenue Bookstore Open Short Story Award
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500 Avenue Bookstore Voucher, Second: $300 Avenue Bookstore Voucher, Third: $200 Avenue Bookstore Voucher

Caulfield Park Community Bank Branch Open Poetry Award
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $300, Third: $200

Benn’s Books Senior Secondary School Short Story Award – years 10 to 12
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250 woth of books or Benn’s Books voucher

Benn’s Books Senior Secondary School Poetry Award – years 10 to 12
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 30 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250 woth of books or Benn’s Books voucher

Hardie Grant Egmont Junior Secondary School Short Story Award – years 7 to 9
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $200 worth of Hardie Grant Egmont books

Grill’d Healthy Burhers Carnegie Junior Secondary School Poetry Award – years 7 to 9
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 10 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $200 Grill’d Carnegie voucher

Hardie Grant Egmont Primary School Short Story Award – years 1 to 6
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $150 worth of books

Grill’d Healthy Burhers Elsternwick Primary School Poetry Award – years 1 to 6
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 10 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $150 Grill’d Elsternwick voucher
*
Glen Eira City Council Photographic Award

Young Tasmanian Writers’s Prize
Closing Date: 27/04/2015
Open to: Tasmanian students enrolled in Year 7 to 12
*
Theme: Threshold, Bubble or Spin
Accepts: Year 10 – 12: Short Story
Size: 800 – 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $8
Prizes: First: $300 & publication with School receiving 12 months subscriptions to TASMANIA 40 South magazine, Runner up x 2: $30 fullers Bookshop voucher

Theme: Time, Distance or Change
Accepts: Year 7 – 9: Short Story
Size: 700 – 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $8
Prizes: First: $300 & publication with School receiving 12 months subscriptions to TASMANIA 40 South magazine, Runner up x 2: $30 fullers Bookshop voucher

NEW LISTING
Alan Marshall Short Story Award 2015 – celebrating 30-years
Closing Date: 30/04/2015
Open to: Australian writers
Theme: None
Accepts: Short stories
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $18
Prizes: Open Section: $2,000 prize plus travel and accommodation for writers’ retreat with judge. Local Section: $500 for four local writers plus attendance at writers’ retreat with judge.

The Axel Clark Memorial Prize for Poetry
Closing Date: 30/04/2015
Open to: Australians
Theme: Open
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 100 lines
Entry Fee: $35
Prizes: First: $1,000 and a one month writing residency and reading at Manning Clark House in Canberra

Bristol Short Story Prize
UK COMPETITION
Closing Date: 30/04/2015
Open to: Over 16 years old
Theme: Open
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 4,000 words
Entry Fee: £8
Prizes: First: £1000 plus £150 Waterstone’s Gift Card, Second: £700 plus £100 Waterstone’s Gift Card, Third: £400 plus £100 Waterstone’s Gift Card. Shortlisted x 17: £100.

NEW LISTING
Bronze Swagman Award
Closing Date: 30/04/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Australian
Accepts: Bush Poetry
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: $20 per entry form, up to 3 poems per form
Prizes: First: $500 & Bronze statuette of the Swagman, Runner-up: $200 & trophy, Highly Commended: Certificate

Charlotte Duncan Award
Established in the memory of Charlotte Duncan to raise funds for the neo-natal unit at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.
Closing Date: 30/04/2015
Open to: All
Theme: For young readers aged 9 – 12 years old, main character a child
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $9.90
Prizes: First: $75, Second: $50, Third: $25,Highly commended and Commended: Certificate

CYA – Aspiring (Unpublished) Competition
Closing Date: 30/04/2015
Open to: Check website
Theme: None

Accepts: Picture book – text only for pre-school children
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: $18.00 ($18.60 if pay by Paypal)
Prizes: First: $50, Second: $30, Third: $20, Submission of short listed entries to at least one children’s publisher

Accepts: Picture book – text only for primary school children
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: $18.00 ($18.60 if pay by Paypal)
Prizes: First: $50, Second: $30, Third: $20, Submission of short listed entries to at least one children’s publisher

Accepts: Picture book – Non-Fiction – text only for primary school children
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: $18.00 ($18.60 if pay by Paypal)
Prizes: First: $50, Second: $30, Third: $20, Submission of short listed entries to at least one children’s publisher

Accepts: Chapter book
a) Text only for young primary aged children
b) Text only of older aged children (Middle Grade)
Size: First 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $18.00 ($18.60 if pay by Paypal)
Prizes: First: $50, Second: $30, Third: $20, Submission of short listed entries to at least one children’s publisher

Accepts: Fiction for Young Adults
Size: First three chapters up to 5,000 words with synopsis
Entry Fee: $18.00 ($18.60 if pay by Paypal)
Prizes: First: $50, Second: $30, Third: $20, Submission of short listed entries to at least one children’s publisher
 
Accepts: Graphic Novel or Illustrated Picture book – any age group within CYA
Size: 3 pages, up to 500 words
Entry Fee: $18.00 ($18.60 if pay by Paypal)
Prizes: First: $50, Second: $30, Third: $20, Submission of short listed entries to at least one children’s publisher

Accepts: Middle Grade Illustrated Novels
Size: First 750 words and two major illustrations
Entry Fee: $18.00 ($18.60 if pay by Paypal)
Prizes: First: $50, Second: $30, Third: $20, Submission of short listed entries to at least one children’s publisher

Illustration section using extracts provided on website

CYA – Hatchlings
Closing Date: 30/04/2015
Open to: 8 – 18 years old and not been published in book format within the CYA genres.
Theme: None

Accepts: Picture book – text only for pre-school or primary aged children
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: $12.00 ($12.55 if pay by Paypal)
Prizes: First: $50, Second: $30, Third: $20, Submission of short listed entries to at least one children’s publisher

Accepts: Chapter Book and Young adult novels – text only for older primary aged children/Young Adult
Size: First 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $12.00 ($12.55 if pay by Paypal)
Prizes: First: $50, Second: $30, Third: $20, Submission of short listed entries to at least one children’s publisher

Accepts: Graphic Novel and Illustrated Picture Book OR Middle Grade Illustrated Novel
Size: See website
Entry Fee: $12.00 ($12.55 if pay by Paypal)
Prizes: First: $50, Second: $30, Third: $20, Submission of short listed entries to at least one children’s publisher

Positive Words Mini Competition – April
Closing Date: 30/04/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Pimple
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $1.40 in stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words

MAY 2015

ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
Closing Date: 01/05/2015
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,000 – 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $20 ($15 for ABR subscribers) or choose to subscribe with your entry (see website)
Prizes: First: $5,000, Second: $2,000, Third: $1,000

What Matters? NSW/ACT
Closing Date: 06/05/2015
Open to: Students in NSW and ACT
Theme: What matters to you and why

Accepts: Year 5 & 6: Opinion piece
Size: 400 – 600 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $350, full-day creative writing workship & participation in a Young Writers Forum, Runner-up: $200 & participation in a Young Writers Forum

Accepts: Year 7 & 8: Opinion piece
Size: 400 – 600 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $350, full-day creative writing workship & participation in a Young Writers Forum, Runner-up: $200 & participation in a Young Writers Forum

Accepts: Year 9 & 10: Opinion piece
Size: 400 – 600 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $350, a day at ReachOut.com to meet team and receive professional training as well as opportunity to be paid $200 to produce a feature article for ReachOut.com & participation in a Young Writers Forum, Runner-up: $200 & participation in a Young Writers Forum

Accepts: Year 11 & 12: Opinion piece
Size: 400 – 600 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $350, 1 year members to NSW Writers Centure and opportunity to participate in a one-day writing workship & participation in a Young Writers Forum, Runner-up: $200 & participation in a Young Writers Forum
*
OVERALL WINNER (across NSW/ACT and Tasmania): Ipad

Bush Lantern Award 2015
Closing Date: 22/05/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Australian Bush verse
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 100 lines
Entry Fee: $8, $20 for 3
Prizes: First: Bush Lantern Award Trophy & $200, Second: Certificate & $100, Third: Certificate & $75

Bush Lantern Award 2015 – Junior
Closing Date: 22/05/2015
*
Open to: Primary School students
Theme: Australian Bush verse
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 24 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: Trophy & $30, Second: Certificate & $20, Third: Certificate & $10
*
Open to: Secondary School students
Theme: Australian Bush verse
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: Trophy & $50, Second: Certificate & $30, Third: Certificate & $20

SAETA Young Writers Award
 Closing Date: 22/05/2015
*
Open to: South Australian Students: Reception  to Yr 1
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry or Prose
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified
*
Open to: South Australian Students: Yr 2 & Yr 3
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry or Prose
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified
*
Open to: South Australian Students: Yr 4 to Yr 6
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry or Prose
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified
*
Open to: South Australian Students: Yr 7 & Yr 8
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry or Prose
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified
*
Open to: South Australian Students: Yr 9 & Yr 10
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry or Prose
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified
*
Open to: South Australian Students: Yr 11 & Yr 12
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry or Prose
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified

NEW LISTING
Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival Short Story Competition
Closing Date: 22/05/2015
Open to: Students from Years 3 to 12
Theme: Open
*
Accepts: Years 3 & 4: Short Story
Size: 300 – 400 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $70, Second: $30 book voucher

Accepts: Years 5 & 6: Short Story
Size: 300 – 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $80, Second: $50 book voucher

Accepts: Years 7 & 8: Short Story
Size: 400 – 600 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100, Second: $50 book voucher

Accepts: Years 9 & 10: Short Story
Size: 600 – 800 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $70 book voucher

Accepts: Years 11 & 12: Short Story
Size: 800 – 1,200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250, Second: $100 book voucher

NEW LISTING
ZineWest 2015
Closing Date: 25/05/2015
Open to: New writers who work, live or study in Western Sydney OR attend a Western Sydney cultural group, aged 16 years and over
Theme: Open
Accepts: Word-based works that can be printed
Size: Poetry: 60 lines including line breaks, Prose:800 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $400, Second & Third: Giramondo Books, Best Poem, Best Prose
 

GRIFFITH REVIEW – The Novella Project III Competition
Closing Date: 29/05/2015
Open to: Australian and New Zealand authors
Theme: Open
Accepts: Novella
Size: 35,000 words max (preferred is 10,000 – 25,000 words)
Entry Fee: $50, Griffith REVIEW subscribers = $35
Prizes: Pool of $25,000

NEW LISTING
HBCA Annual Writing Competition
Closing Date: 29/05/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Open
Accepts: Novella
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $150, Second: $75, Third: $50, Highly Commended: Certificate

University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor’s International Poetry Prize
Closing Date: 29/05/2015
Open to: 18 years and over
Theme: Open
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 50 lines and no more than 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $15 per poem if submitted by 3101/2015. $20 if submitted after that date. Tertiary (university) students – $10
Prizes: First: $15,000, Second: $5,000

AHWA Flash & Short Story Competition
Closing Date: 31/05/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Horror Stories

Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: Paid publication in Midnight Echo and an engraved plaque

Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,001 – 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: Paid publication in Midnight Echo and an engraved plaque

NEW LISTING
The Best of Times Short Story Competition
Closing Date: 31/05/2015
Open to: All (except stories that have previously won a prize or certificate in prior Best of Times
Theme: Humorous
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $500. Second: $100, Third place, highly commended and commended certificates will be awarded too.

Boree Log Award for Bush Verse
Closing Date: 31/05/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Australian Bush Theme
Accepts: Bush Verse
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: $100 plus trophy and certificate

Eastwood/Hills FAW Literary Competition
Closing Date: 31/05/2015
Open to: All
Theme: None

Accepts: Category 1: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $5 or $20 for 5
Prize: First: $200, Second: $100

Accepts: Category 2: Poetry (except Bush Poetry)
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: $5 or $20 for 5
Prize: First: $150, Second: $50

Accepts: Category 3: Memoir
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $5 or $20 for 5
Prize: First: $150, Second: $50

Accepts: Category 4: Pauline Walsh Award for Short Short Story
Size: 800 words
Entry Fee: $5 or $20 for 5
Prize: First: $100, Second: $50

Positive Words Mini Competition – May
Closing Date: 31/05/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Cruise
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $1.40 in stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words

NEW LISTING
Shore Scripts Screenwriting Competition
UK COMPETITION
Closing Date:
  31/05/2015 : Early Deadline
  31/07/2015 : Regular Deadline
  31/08/2015 : Late Deadline
Open to: All where each writer, or writing team, may not have earned more than £20,000 in writing fees.
Theme: None

Accepts: Feature script
Size: Close to standard 80-120 pages as possible
Entry Fee: Early Deadline: £25, Regular Deadline: £30, Late Deadline: £35
Prize: First: £2,000 , Script sent to 100+ Productions Companies, Subscription to Celtx Premium Studio & Suite of Mobile & Desktop Apps, Comprehensive Script Report/Coverage, Free IMDB Pro Account, Inktip Script Listing, The Coffee Break Screenwriting Book, Filmcraft: Screenwriting Book,Its on the Grid Professional Members,
Second: £500, Script sent to 100+ Productions Companies, Subscription to Celtx Premium Studio & Suite of Mobile & Desktop Apps, Comprehensive Script Report/Coverage, Free IMDB Pro Account, Inktip Script Listing, The Coffee Break Screenwriting Book, Filmcraft: Screenwriting Book, Its on the Grid Professional Members,
Third: £200, Script sent to 100+ Productions Companies, Subscription to Celtx Premium Studio & Suite of Mobile & Desktop Apps, Free IMDB Pro Account, Inktip Script Listing, The Coffee Break Screenwriting Book, Filmcraft: Screenwriting Book, Its on the Grid Professional Members,
Fourth: Script sent to 100+ Productions Companies, Subscription to Celtx Premium Studio & Suite of Mobile & Desktop Apps, Free IMDB Pro Account, Inktip Script Listing, The Coffee Break Screenwriting Book, Filmcraft: Screenwriting Book, Its on the Grid Professional Members,
Fifth: Script sent to 100+ Productions Companies, Subscription to Celtx Premium Studio & Suite of Mobile & Desktop Apps, Free IMDB Pro Account, Inktip Script Listing, The Coffee Break Screenwriting Book, Filmcraft: Screenwriting Book, Its on the Grid Professional Members

Accepts: Short script
Size: Close to standard 3-30 pages as possible
Entry Fee: Early Deadline: £20, Regular Deadline: £25, Late Deadline: £30
Prize: First: £500 , Script sent to 100+ Productions Companies, Free IMDB Pro Account, Filmcraft: Screenwriting Book
Second: £250 , Script sent to 100+ Productions Companies, Free IMDB Pro Account, Filmcraft: Screenwriting Book
Third: Script sent to 100+ Productions Companies

NEW LISTING
The Australian / Vogel’s Literary Award
Closing Date: 31/05/2015
Open to: Australian residents aged under 35 years on 31 May 2015
Theme: None
Accepts: Unpublished manuscript: Fiction, Australian History or biography
Size: 30,000 – 100,000 words
Entry Fee: $25
Prize: An advance against royalties plus prize money totalling $20,000

JUNE 2015

NEW LISTING
Grieve Writing Competition

Closing Date: 01/06/2015
Open to: Over 18
Theme: Grief
Accepts: Prose or poetry
Size: Prose: 500 words, Poetry: 36 lines
Entry Fee: $11

Prizes:
$1000 – For a story selected by the judge from The National Association of Loss and Grief
$1000 – For a story selected by the judge from The Australian Funeral Directors Association
$500 – For a story selected by the judge from The National Association of Loss and Grief
$200 – For a story selected by the judge from Calvary Mater Hospital Pastoral Care
$200 – For a story selected by the judge from Hunter Writers Centre
$150 – For a story selected by the judge from Good Grief – Seasons for Growth program 
– seeking a story or poem about a Grief or Loss other than death/dying
$100 Hunter New England Health Mental Health Services Award
$100 People’s Choice award donated by Maclean’s Booksellers 
$100 Hunter Writers Centre member’s prize – you must be a member of Hunter Writers Centre to receive this

 

The Lyndall Hadow/Donald Stuart Short Story Competition
Closing Date: 01/06/2015
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $400,Second: $100, 2 x Highly Commended: $50

 

Broken Ski Award
Closing Date: 02/06/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Not mentioned but check website

Accepts: Open poetry
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not mentioned

Accepts: Junior High School – 12 to 18 – poetry
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not mentioned
*
Accepts: Junior Primary School – under 12 – poetry
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not mentioned

 

NEW LISTING
Society of Women Writers Competitions
Closing Date: 09/06/2015
Open to: Australian residentsl
Theme: Giving Women a Voice
*
Accepts: Non-Fiction
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $35, ($25 for members)

Prize: First: $500, Second: $250, Third: $100

Accepts: Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: $15 or $60 for 5, ($10 for members or $40 for five )

Prize: First: $300, Second: $200, Third: $100
*
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $35, ($25 for members)

Prize: First: $500, Second: $250, Third: $100

 

NEW LISTING
HBCA Annual Youth Writing Competition
Closing Date: 26/06/2015
Open to: Australian students
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Grade 8 – 12: Short Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil

Prize: First: $100 & Certificate, Runner Up: $50 & Certificate

*
Accepts: Grade 5 – 7: Short Story
Size: You will need to verify words
Entry Fee: Nil

Prize: First: $50 & Certificate
*
Accepts: Grade 4 and under: Short Story
Size: 400 words
Entry Fee: Nil

Prize: First: $25 & Certificate

*
School Prize, Fraser Coast Only: Best Primary Class Effort: $100 & certificate
 

Cowley Literary Award
Closing Date: 30/06/2015
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Fiction and Non-Fiction
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $25

Prize: First: $5,000, Runner-up: $1,000

 

NEW LISTING
Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards
Closing Date: 30/06/2015
Open to: School Students enrolled in Australian education facilities
Theme: Optional theme: The open door
*
Accepts: Lower Primary (Years K – 3) Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: Individual (where home-schooled or school not taking part): $15, School Entry up to 30 entries: $25, School Entry over 30 entries: $50

Prize: First: $300, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $150 & prize pack
*
Accepts: Upper Primary (Years 4 – 6. Year 7 in SA) Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: Individual (where home-schooled or school not taking part): $15, School Entry up to 30 entries: $25, School Entry over 30 entries: $50

Prize: First: $400, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $200 & prize pack

*
Accepts: Assisted Learning Primary Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: Individual (where home-schooled or school not taking part): $15, School Entry up to 30 entries: $25, School Entry over 30 entries: $50

Prize: First: $400, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $200 & prize pack
*
Accepts: Junior Secondary (Years 7 – 9) Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: Individual (where home-schooled or school not taking part): $15, School Entry up to 30 entries: $25, School Entry over 30 entries: $50

Prize: First: $500, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $300 & prize pack

*
Accepts: Senior Secondary (Years 10 – 12) Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: Individual (where home-schooled or school not taking part): $15, School Entry up to 30 entries: $25, School Entry over 30 entries: $50

Prize: First: $500, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $300 & prize pack

*
Accepts: Assisted Learning Secondary Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: Individual (where home-schooled or school not taking part): $15, School Entry up to 30 entries: $25, School Entry over 30 entries: $50

Prize: First: $500, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $300 & prize pack

*
Accepts: Community Relations Commission (NSW) Award
Theme: Cultural diversity within Australian community
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: Individual (where home-schooled or school not taking part): $15, School Entry up to 30 entries: $25, School Entry over 30 entries: $50

Prize: First: $500, trophy & prize pack

PRIMARY SCHOOL AWARD (the Sheelah Baxter Award): $1,000, trophy & prize pack

SECONDARY SCHOOL AWARD: $1,000, trophy & prize pack

 

NEW LISTING
Henry Savery National Short Story Award

Closing Date: 30/06/2015
Open to: Australian residents
Theme: Open
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $5

Prize: First: $400, Second: $100
 

Joe O’Sullivan Writers’ Prize
Closing Date: 30/06/2015
Open to: Western Australian resident
Theme: Heritage
Accepts: Prose, Fact or Fiction
Size: 2,000 – 4,000 words
Entry Fee: $10

Prize: First: $1,000

 

Joyce Parkes Women’s Writers’ Prize
Closing Date: 30/06/2015
Open to: Australian Women
Theme: Conflict
Accepts: Prose, Fact or Fiction
Size: 1,000 – 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $10

Prize: First: $500

 

The Moth International Short Story Prize
IRISH COMPETITION

Closing Date: 30/06/2015
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 6,000 words
Entry Fee: €12
Prize: First: €3,000, Second: a week-long writing retreat at Circle of Misse in France (including €250 for travel), Third: €1,000.

 

Positive Words Mini Competition – June
Closing Date: 30/06/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Obstacle
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $1.40 in stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words

 

Scribes Writers – “Poetic Licence”

Closing Date: 30/06/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Open
*
Accepts: A. Traditional Verse
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: $7

Prize: First: $200, Second: $100, Highly Commended and Commended: Certificates at the judges’ discretion
*
Accepts: B. Free Verse
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: $7

Prize: First: $200, Second: $100, Highly Commended and Commended: Certificates at the judges’ discretion

 

NEW LISTING

The Moth International Short Story Prize

UK COMPETITION
Closing Date: 30/06/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Open
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 6,000 words
Entry Fee: €12

Prize: First: €3,000, Second: a week-long writing retreat at Circle of Misse in France (including €250 for travel), Third: €1,000

JULY 2015

Ledbury Poetry Festival Poetry Competition
UK COMPETITION
Closing Date: 09/07/2015
Open to: All
Theme: None

Accepts: Adult: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: £5 for first poem, £3.50 thereafter (Additional 0.75p if pay via Paypal)
Prize: First: £1,000 and a course at Ty Newydd, The National Writers’ Centre for Wales. www.tynewydd.org, Second: £500, Third: £250

Accepts: Young people (12 – 17): Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: Nil for first poem, £1.50 thereafter (Additional 0.75p if pay via Paypal)
Prize: First: £100,  Second: £50, Third: £25
*
Accepts: Children (11 and under): Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: Nil for first poem, £1.50 thereafter (Additional 0.75p if pay via Paypal)
Prize: First: £25 book token,  Second: £15 book token, Third: £10 book token

NEW LISTING
Tasmania Literary Award
Closing Date: 19/07/2015
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,300 – 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $8
Prize: First: $1,500, Second: $350, Third: $150, Highly Commended & Commended: Certificates

Positive Words Mini Competition – July
Closing Date: 31/07/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Cheesecake
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $1.40 in stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words

 

NEW LISTING
Victorian Veterans Community Story Writing and Art Competition
ART, CRAFT & PHOTOGRAPHY SECTIONS AVAILABLE
(Additional special awards relating to these sections)

Special writing category for 2015 is “Centenary of Anzac – 100 Years of Service”.

Closing Date: 31/07/2015
Open to: Members of the ex-service community residing in Victoria (see website) aged 18 and over

1A
Theme: True Wartime Experience
Accepts: Prose
Word Limit: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $200 & Certificate & The Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Award – Cheque, Second: $100 & Certificate, Third: $75 & Certificate, Honourable Mentions: Certificate, Encouragement: The Lou Perlstein Award for Story Writing True Wartime Experience – Cheque and Engraved Plaque

1B

Theme: True Life Experience
Accepts: Prose
Word Limit: 3,000 words

Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $200 & Certificate, Second: $100 & Certificate, Third: $75 & Certificate, Honourable Mentions: Certificate
*
1C
Theme: None
Accepts: Fiction
Word Limit: 3,000 words

Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $200 & Certificate, Second: $100 & Certificate, Third: $75 & Certificate, Honourable Mentions: Certificate
*
1D
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Word Limit: 3,000 words

Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $200 & Certificate, Second: $100 & Certificate, Third: $75 & Certificate, Honourable Mentions: Certificate, Encouragement: Vice Admiral W.R. Creswell Poetry Encouragement Award in memory of Lloyd and Vera Saltmarsh – Framed photograph of the Vice Admiral
*
1E
Theme: Mateship – Stories of Companionship
Accepts: Prose
Word Limit: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $200 & Certificate& National Servicemen’s Association (Northern Branch) Special Award – Cheque, Second: $100 & Certificate, Third: $75 & Certificate, Honourable Mentions: Certificate

ADDITIONAL SPECIAL PRIZES
The Sir Edmund Herring Memorial Prize – Engraved Silver Tray: Awarded to the most outstanding first prize entry

The John Quinlivan TPI Special Recognition Award – Engraved plaque: For a winner and a runner-up who produced  entries under special hardship
Legacy Novice Award for a First Year Entrant in Writing – Cheque and certificate: For First time writing entrants to a winner and runner-up deemed worthy of encouragement.

AUGUST 2015

Umoja Orphanage Writing Competition
Per Website: ALL proceeds to Umoja Orphanage Kenya (Reg. Charity CH2110) and sponsorship of volunteering to Orphanage Kenya project (a Project of RAWCS) a project sponsored by Sunrise Rotary Club Bundaberg.
Closing Date: 06/08/2015
Open to: Residents of Australia
Theme: Child
Accepts: Short Fiction, essay or travel article
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $25
Prize: First: $150 with trophy, certificate and publication on the hosts’ websites , Second: $50 with certificate and publication on the hosts’ websites, Third: Certificate and publication on the hosts’ websites

Positive Words Mini Competition – August
Closing Date: 31/08/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Empty
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $1.40 in stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words

 

SEPTEMBER 2015

Positive Words Mini Competition – September
Closing Date: 30/09/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Sister
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $1.40 in stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words

 

OCTOBER 2015

Positive Words Mini Competition – October
Closing Date: 31/10/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Brother
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $1.40 in stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words

 

NOVEMBER 2015

Positive Words Mini Competition – November
Closing Date: 30/11/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Bank
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $1.40 in stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words

 

DECEMBER 2015

Positive Words Mini Competition – December
Closing Date: 31/12/2015
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Swim
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $1.40 in stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words