Current competitions
These are writing competitions that are open to Australian residents at the moment. They are not run by the NT Writers’ Centre, so please contact the individual organisation listed if you have any specific question about any competition.
Positive Words End-of-Year Short Story & Poetry Competition
Closing Date: 31 October 2021
Entry Fee: Yes
Prizes Offered: Yes
More Information: https://positivewordsmagazine.wordpress.com/
Positive Words End-of-Year Short Story & Poetry Competition 2021 Open Short Story – up to 500 words Open Poetry – up to 32 lines Entry Fees : $4.40 per entry, 4 for $15.00 Closing Date : 31 October 2021 First Prize in each section is $100 and Second Prize is a twelve-month membership to Positive Words magazine. For entry forms please send SSAE to: The Editor, Sandra James, PO Box 798, Heathcote 3523, Victoria, email positivewordsmagazine@live.com.au or http://positivewordsmagazine.wordpress.com/ read more
Lane Cove Literary Awards 2021
Closing Date: 19 August 2021
Entry Fee: Yes
Prizes Offered: Yes
More Information: http://www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/literaryawards
The Lane Cove Literary Awards is a prestigious national writing competition organised by Lane Cove Council that recognises writing excellence and fosters Australian writing talent. Australian writers over 16 years of age are invited to submit unpublished works for the following prizes: • Short Story Prize – $2,000 • Memoir Prize – $1,500 • Poetry Prize – $1,500 The following additional prizes may be awarded: • The Burns Bay Bookery Resident Prize – $500 • Wise Sage Prize (Age 65+) – $500 An entry fee of $15 per entry is applicable. Entries close 5:00pm Thursday 19 August 2021. For more… read more
Call out for submissions: Nothing to Hide: Voices of Trans and Gender Diverse Australia
Closing Date: 1 August 2021
Entry Fee: No
Prizes Offered: Yes
More Information: https://www.jotform.com/form/211510958239861
Nothing to Hide: Voices of Trans and Gender Diverse Australia is a forthcoming anthology co-edited by Sam Elkin, Alex Gallagher, Yves Rees and Bobuq Sayed that will be published in 2022. We are seeking creative non-fiction, interviews, poetry and graphics of up to 3000 words each from trans and gender diverse contributors. Each contributor who is selected for publication will be paid $300. We will actively prioritise submissions from underrepresented communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people of colour, asylum seekers and new migrants, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness and/or incarceration, young people and the elderly. read more
Boroondara Literary Awards 2021 – Open Short Story
Closing Date: 27 August 2021
Entry Fee: No
Prizes Offered: Yes
More Information: https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/about-council/awards/boroondara-literary-awards
Enter the 2021 Boroondara Literary Awards Put pen to paper – or fingers to keyboard – and get writing for the 2021 Boroondara Literary Awards Open Short Story Competition Held each year by the City of Boroondara in partnership with the Rotary Club of Balwyn, the Awards encourage creativity in writers of all ages. As well as cash prizes, winners will have their work published in the Boroondara Literary Awards Anthology. The Boroondara Literary Awards judge for the Open Short Story section in 2021 is award winning author Chloe Hooper. The Open Short Story competition is open to all Australian… read more
Odyssey House Victoria Short Story Competition 2021
Closing Date: 5 November 2021
Entry Fee: Yes
Prizes Offered: Yes
More Information: www.odyssey.org.au/short-story-competition-2021
Odyssey House Victoria Annual Short Story Competition. This competition is open to writers of all ages and experience. Each submission must be no more than 1,500 words and follow the theme “New Beginnings”. It will need to make a reference to alcohol and/or drugs. There is a limit of three entries per person, and the entry fee is $10 per story. First prize is $1,000 and a one year membership to Writers Victoria; 2nd prize is $100 and 3rd prize is $50. The competition closes on Friday 5th November, 2021. For more information or to download an entry form, go… read more
Woorilla Poetry Prize
Closing Date: 5 September 2021
Entry Fee: Yes
Prizes Offered: Yes
More Information: www.woorilla.org.au
Poems should be composed in English and may be up to 50 lines per poem. Poems must be the original work of the entrant. Entries must not have been previously published or broadcast (print or electronic, including social media), or a prize winner in any other competition. If the judges have read part or all of your entry prior to making your submission you cannot submit that poem. The competition is open to anyone, including overseas applicants. Categories and relevant fees per poem are: -‘Judith Rodriguez’ Open Section – $15 each -‘Louise Rockne’ Youth Section (ages 12-18) – FREE entry… read more
Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2022-23
Closing Date: 3 September 2021
Entry Fee: No
Prizes Offered: Yes
More Information: https://queenslandtheatre.com.au/queensland-premiers-drama-award
Queensland Theatre is now calling for entries, from across Australia, for the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2022–23. Established in 2001, the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award is now the richest playwriting prize in the country. The winner of the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2022–23 will receive: o $30,000 cash prize o $16,000 commission fee to develop their play with Queensland Theatre throughout 2022-23. o World premiere production of their play as part of Queensland Theatre’s 2023 Season, including box office royalties. read more
Port Stephens Literature Award 2021
Closing Date: 30 September 2021
Entry Fee: Yes
Prizes Offered: Yes
More Information: tilligerry.com
The Port Stephens Literature Award 2021 $1100 in prize money Short stories up to 2000 words on any topic. 1st $500 – Port Stephens Council Award 2nd $300 – Club Lemon Tree Award 3rd $150 – News of the Area Award Four x $25 most highly commended prizes. Plus $50 – Readers Choice Award. Entry fee – $10 for the first entry $5 for any subsequent entry (cheques/money orders made out to TACE.) • Standard competition conditions apply – no entry form needed. • Separate cover sheet with story title and author’s contact details. • Stories to be typed and… read more
