AUSTRALIAN WRITERS' RESOURCE
COMPETITIONS
UPDATED 14/11/2021
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.
NEW LISTINGS THIS MONTH
Calibre Essay Prize
Djillong Short Story Competition
FAW Tasmania Nairda Lyne Award
Fiction Factory Flash Fiction Competition
Forty South Publishing Tasmanian Writers' Prize
Future Leaders Writing Prize
KSP Little Black Dress Spooky Story Competition
Questions Writing Prize
Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival Poetry Competition
Shore Scripts Podcast Competition
The Four Seasons Project - Part One
The Henshaw Short Story Competition
The Heroines/Joyce Parkes Women's Writing Prize
The Louie Award
The Masters Review Novel Excerpt Contest
Tom Collins Poetry Prize
Viva La Novella
Opens: 5pm (Sydney/Melbourne time) on the first Friday of every month
Closes: 55 hours later
Open to: 17 years and older
Theme: Story prompt provided
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:First: $500
Flash 500 Flash Fiction Competition
Closing Date: Quarterly competitions - see website
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: £5 for one story, £8 for two stories
Prize:First: £300, Second: £200, Third: £100
Flash Fiction Friday
Opens: 5 pm on the fourth Friday of the month
Closes: at 11.30 pm on the same Sunday of that weekend
Open to: NSW writers subscribed to the newsletter
Theme: Short story prompt
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Mystery gift to the value of $50
The Writing Quarter Competition
Closing Date: Last day of the month
Open to: Aged 18 or over
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:$30 via Paypal
Write from the Heart Microfiction
Closing Date: End of Month at midnight
Open to: All
Theme: As chosen by prior winner
Accepts: Microfiction
Size: 100 words
Entry fee: $2 entry fee plus 50 cents to cover Paypal charge (or Nil entry fee but prize rolled over to next month)
Prize: Nominated charity: 50% of entry fees, First: 28% of entry fees, choose next charity and theme, Second: 8% of entry fees, Third: 4% of entry fees
THROUGH THE YEAR
| NOVEMBER 2021 | |
| 01/11/2021 |
The ASA/HQ Commercial Fiction Prize Open to: Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident aged 18 years and over, co-written works are eligible Theme: Commercial Fiction (see website for exclusions) Accepts: Manuscript Size: 70,000 - 140,000 words, synposis: 500 words, biography: 300 words Entry Fee: ASA Members: First entry Nil and $25 for each thereafter, Non-Members: $65 Prizes: First: Publishing contract and $10,000 advance against royalties, Runner-up: $500 and year's membership with ASA |
| 02/11/2021 |
Nakata Brophy Prize for Young Indigenous Writers Open to: Indigenous writers who are 30 years or younger, Australian Citizen or permanent residents of Australia Theme: None Accepts: Short Story Size: 3,000 words Entry Fee: Nil Prize: $5,000, publication and offered a place as Writer-in-Residence at Trinity College for up to three months.2 x Runner-up: $500 (May be awarded) |
| 05/11/2021 |
Odyssey House Victoria Short Story Competition Open to: All Theme: "New Beginnings" & reference to alcohol and/or drugs Accepts: Short Story Size: 1.500 words Entry Fee: $10 Prizes: First: $1,000 & 1 year membership to Writers Victoria, Second: $100, Third: $50 |
| 07/11/2021 |
Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing Open to: Australian residents Theme: None * Accepts: Alan Marshall Short Story Award Size: 2,500 words Entry Fee: $25, Local Category & Youth= Nil Prizes: Open Section: $5,000, Local Section: $2,500, Youth (18 years and under): $1,000 * Accepts: Creative Non-Fiction Size: 5,000 words Entry Fee: $25, Local Category & Youth= Nil Prizes: Open Section: $5,000, Local Section: $2,500, Youth (18 years and under): $1,000 |
| 07/11/2021 |
Simpson Prize Competition Open to: Year 9 & 10 students Theme: To what extent have the Gallipoli campaign and the Western Front overshadowed other significant aspects of Australians’ experience of the First World War? Accepts: Essay Size: 1,200- 1.500 words (body of essay) Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: (Subject to COVID19 Restrictions) : Winner from each State: Attend a three-day program in Canberra, travel key historic and commemorative site/s across Australia, Runner-up from each State: Attend a three-day in Canberra |
| 07/11/2021 |
Korean Spirit & Culture Promotion Project - Essay Contest Open to: Australian School Students Theme: See website for essay questions and source material * Accepts: Group A - Essay - Years 5 to 8 Size: 2 - 3 pages Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: First: $500, Second: $200, Third: $100, Honorable Mentions: $50 * Accepts: Group B - Essay - Years 9 - 12 Size: 2 - 3 pages Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: First: $500, Second: $200, Third: $100, Honorable Mentions: $50 |
| 12/11/2021 |
Ken Scarlett Award Open to: Australian resident Theme: Spirit of Place OR one of the selected artists/sculptures OR public outdoor sculpture Accepts: Essay Size: 1,000 words Entry Fee: Nil Prize: $3,000 |
| 14/11/2021 |
Mid North Coast Writers' Centre Short Story Competition Open to: Citizens or permanent residents of Australia, 18 years and older Theme: None Accepts: Short Story Size: 3,000 words Entry Fee: $15 Prizes: First: $700, Second: $300, Third: $100 |
| 15/11/2021 |
The Blake Poetry Prize Open to: Citizens or permanent residents of Australia Theme: Have a religious or spiritual nature Accepts: Poetry Size: 100 lines Entry Fee: $30 Prizes: First: $5,000 |
| 16/11/2021 NEW LISTING |
Shore Scripts Podcast Competition UK COMPETITION EARLY: 16/11/2021 REGULAR: 19/12/2021 FINAL: 21/01/2022 Open to: All where each writer, or writing team, may not have earned more than $US 50,000 in writing fees in the preceding 18 months. Theme: Works as a serialised episodic show Accepts: Podcast pilot script (fiction) Size: 10-40 pages (additional fee if over this length) Entry Fee: EARLY: $35, REGULAR: $45, FINAL: $55 Prize: First x 2: $US 1,000, Scripts produced into a pilot podcast episode with budget of $US 5,000, Top 15: Read by Judges, Industry roster & directors, free enrolment into ‘Fast Track You First Draft – 15 Minute Method Course’ |
| 20/11/2021 (Postal) 30/11/2021 (Electronic) |
Blackened Billy Verse Competiton Open to: All Theme: Relevant to Australia or Australians Accepts: Bush Verse Size: Not mentioned Entry Fee: $10, 3 for $25, Optional Feedback: $10 Prizes: First: $500 plus trophy and certificate, Second: $250 plus certificate, Third: $150 plus certificate, Highly Commended x 5: $50 plus certificate, Commended x 5: Certificate |
| 21/11/2021 |
Celebrate Caves Through Your Creativity |
| 28/11/2021 |
Melbourne Poets Union International Poetry Competition Open to: All Accepts: Poetry Size: 50 lines Entry Fee: $15 for first entry, $10 for second and $5 each thereafter Prizes: First (Leon Shann Award): $1,500. Second : $500, Third place: $300, Wendy Fleming Urban Realist Award: $100, Highly Commended & Commended: Unspecified prizes |
| 30/11/2021 | Blue Draft Screenwriting Contest US COMPETITION Closing Date: EARLY BIRD: 30/06/2021, REGULAR: 10/10/2021, LATE: 30/11/2021 Open to: Aged 18 and over as at 01/01/2021 Theme: None Accepts: Short Film Size: 15 minutes Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $USD 30 (Gold Members: $USD 24), REGULAR: $USD 40 (Gold Members: $USD 32), LATE: $USD 50 (Gold Members: $USD 40) Prize: Production deal |
| 30/11/2021 NEW LISTING |
Fiction Factory Flash Fiction Competition UK COMPETITON |
| 30/11/2021 |
Jackie's Spring Competition Open to: Adults who write for kids Theme: Open * Accepts: Verse Story Size: No limit Entry Fee: $10 Prizes: Includes picture books, subscription to the kidlit ezine “Pass it On”, 3 hours of editing service, sign up to Metre Matters Course * Accepts: Rhyming poem Size: No limit Entry Fee: $10 Prizes: Includes picture books, subscription to the kidlit ezine “Pass it On”, 3 hours of editing service, sign up to Metre Matters Course |
| 30/11/2021 |
Positive Words Mini Competition Open to: All Theme: Contains the word: Dimple Accepts: Short Story or Poetry Size: 100 words or 10 lines Entry Fee: $2.20 in unused stamps Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words |
| 30/11/2021 |
The Bath Children's Novel Award UK COMPETITION Open to: International writers yet to be traditionally published Theme: Open Accepts: Unsigned novel written for middle grade or young adults Size: First 5,000 words plus 300 word synopsis (see website for length of full manuscript) Entry Fee: £28 with sponsored places available for writers on low income Prizes: First: £3,000, Most promising Longlisted Novel: Edit Your Novel the Professional Way on-line course, Shortlist Prize: Manuscript feedback plus literary agent introductions |
| 30/11/2021 |
The Gregory O'Donoghue International Poetry Competition IRISH COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Poetry Size: 40 lines Entry Fee: €7, 5 for €30 Prize: First: €2,000, Featured reading at the Cork International Poetry Festival in Spring 2022, publication, Second: €500, publication, Third: €250, publication, 10 x runners-up: €50, publication |
| 30/11/2021 NEW LISTING |
The Masters Review Novel Excerpt Contest US COMPETITION Open to: Emerging writers Theme: None Accepts: Excerpt from unpublished novel Size: 6,000 words Entry Fee: $US 20 Prizes: First: $US 3,000 and consultation with an agent Second: $US 300 and agent feedback, Third: $US 200 and agent feedback |
| DECEMBER 2021 | |
| 03/12/2021 |
The 2022 Somerset National Poetry Prize Open to: All current secondary school students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents attending school or receiving home schooling in Australia under 19 years of age at close of entries Theme: None * Accepts: Junior Secondary - Years 7 to 9 Size: 50 lines Entry Fee: $15 Prize: $300 plus flights and accommodation to the Gold Coast, Tickets to Somerset Storyfest, Access to meet with authors and publicists * Accepts: Senior Secondary - Years 10 to 12 Size: 50 lines Entry Fee: $15 Prize: $300 flights and accommodation to the Gold Coast, Tickets to Somerset Storyfest, Access to meet with authors and publicists |
| 03/12/2021 |
The 2022 Somerset National Novella Writing Competition Open to: All current secondary school students attending school or receiving home schooling in Australia under 19 years of age at close of entries Theme: None Accepts: Novella Size: 8,000 - 20,000 words Entry Fee: $20 Prizes: National winner: $2,500 and a full editorial report from Penguin Random House (Australia), State Winners: Unspecified cash prize and personalised advice from Penguin Random House (Australia). Flights and accommodation to the Gold Coast, Tickets to Somerset Storyfest |
| 03/12/2021 NEW LISTING |
The Louie Award Open to: Australians who are members of the Australian Crime Writers Association Theme: Leaving Home - Crime genre Accepts: Short Story Size: 500 words Entry Fee: Nil for members. Currently $20 for lifetime membership Prizes: First: $750 |
| 15/12/2021 NEW LISTING |
Djillong Short Story Competition Open to: Citizens or residents of Australia over 18 years of age Theme: None Accepts: Short Story Size: 3,000 - 5,000 words Entry Fee: $20 ($15 for members) Prizes: First: $1,000, Second: $400, Third: $200 |
| 15/12/2021 NEW LISTING |
Tom Collins Poetry Prize Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Poetry Size: 60 lines Entry Fee: $12 ($10 for Members) Prizes: First: $1,000 , Second: $300, Third: $100 |
| 17/12/2021 |
Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize Open to: 18 years and over Theme: None Accepts: Manuscript - see website for more information Size: 80,000 words Entry Fee: $45 Prize: Author Coaching, Structural Edit and Line edit (Value $2500) |
| 20/12/2021 |
VI International Playwriting Contest SPANISH COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None – for young audiences (not children or adults), not musicals * Accepts: Category A - Play Size: 60 minutes - 2 hours Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: First: €2,400 for the writer, translation to another European language, publication and public reading, plus economic aid for performances within two years after publication (Value: €4,800), Short list: Consideration for publication * Accepts: Category B - Play Size: 30 minutes - 1 hour Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: First: €1,000 for the writer, translation to another European language, plublication and public reading, plus economic aid for performances within two years after publication (Value: €3,200), Short list: Consideration for publication * Accepts: Category C - Play Size: 10 – 30 minutes Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: First: €400 for the writer, translation to another European language, plublication and public reading, plus economic aid for performances within two years after publication (Value: €3,200), Short list: Consideration for publication |
| 24/12/2021 |
The Kembla Flame Open to: All Theme: Uniquely Australian Accepts: Bush Poetry Size: No limit Entry Fee: $6, $10 for 3 Prize: First: "The Kembla Flame" trophy, $300 and certificate, Second: $200 and certificate, 2 x Highly Commended: $100 and certificate, Novice: $100 and certificate, Junior: $100 and certificate |
| 31/12/2021 |
Audioarcadia.com's Short Story Competition UK COMPETITION Open to: Aged 18 plus Theme: Adventure, Travel and Science Fiction Accepts: Short Story Size: 5,000 words Entry Fee: $USD 8.45 Prize: Percentage of royalties |
| 31/12/2021 |
Blue Mountain Arts Poetry Contest US COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Poetry Size: Not mentioned Entry Fee: Nil Prize: First: $350 USD, Second: $200 USD, Third: $100 USD |
| 31/12/2021 |
Do Wha(TS) Write CANADIAN COMPETITION CONTEST PROCEEDS DONATED TO TOURETTE CANADA Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Flash fiction or short story Size: 1,000 words Entry Fee: $2 CAD Prize: First: $200 CAD |
| 31/12/2021 |
Positive Words Mini Competition Open to: All Theme: Contains the word: Anticipation Accepts: Short Story or Poetry Size: 100 words or 10 lines Entry Fee: $2.20 in unused stamps Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words |
| 31/12/2021 |
The Masters Review Chapbook Award for Emerging Writers US COMPETITION Open to: Emerging writers Theme: None Accepts: Fiction or Non-fiction prose Size: 25 – 40 pages Entry Fee: $US 25 Prizes: First: $US 3,000 + print&digital publication + 50 contributor copies |
| 31/12/2021 |
The Moth Poetry Prize IRISH COMPETITION Open to: All over 16 Theme: None Accepts: Poetry Size: No Limit Entry Fee: €15 Prizes: First: €6,000, Runners-up x 3: €1,000, Commended x 8: €250 - Winners published in the spring 2021 issue of The Moth |
| 31/12/2021 NEW LISTING |
Viva La Novella Open to: Australian and New Zealand residents Theme: None Accepts: Novella Size: 18,000 - 55,000 Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: First x 2: $1,000 & contract for print and digital publication with Brio Books |
| JANUARY 2022 | |
| 06/01/2022 NEW LISTING |
The Henshaw Short Story Competition UK COMPETITION Open to: All over 16 Theme: None Accepts: Short Story Size: 2,000 words Entry Fee: £6, Optional Feedback: £14 Prizes: First: £200, Second: £100, Third: £50 |
| 09/01/2022 NEW LISTING |
Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival Poetry Competition UK COMPETITION Closing Date: 31/12/2019 Open to: All Theme: Hope in Nature * Accepts: Poetry - 18 years and over Size: 30 lines Entry Fee: £4 Prize: First: £200 * Accepts: Poetry - 12 to 17 years Size: 30 lines Entry Fee: Nil Prize: First: £70 * Accepts: Poetry - Up to 11 years Size: 30 lines Entry Fee: Nil Prize: First: £50 |
| 12/01/2022 |
The Mogford Food & Drink Short Story Prize |
| 17/01/2022 NEW LISTING |
Calibre Essay Prize Theme: None Open to: All Accepts: Non-fiction essay Size: 2,000 - 5,000 words Entry Fee: $25 (or $15 for ABR subscribers) Prizes: First: $5,000, Second: $2,500 |
| 31/01/2022 NEW LISTING |
The Four Seasons Project - Part One Open to: All Theme: Summer Accepts: Short Story Size: 5,000 words Entry Fee: $10 Prizes: First: $200 & copy of anthology, Second: $100& copy of anthology, Third: $50 & copy of anthology, Highly commended: paid for publication at 1c/word (minimum $20) & copy of anthology |
| FEBRUARY 2022 | |
| 14/02/2022 NEW LISTING |
Forty South Publishing Tasmanian Writers' Prize Open to: Citizens of Australia and New Zealand or Australian permanent residents Theme: Island or Island-resonant Accepts: Short Story Size: 3,000 words Entry Fee: $20 Prize: $500 |
| 28/02/2022 |
Flash 500 Short Story Competition |
| 28/02/2022 NEW LISTING |
The Heroines/Joyce Parkes Women's Writing Prize Open to: Writers who identify or live as women, prize only awarded to someone residing in, or a citizen of, Australia Theme: Focus on lost women's history, untold stories and reimagined myths, fairy tales, folklore or legends, or speculative fiction Accepts: Fiction or poetry Size: Fiction: 3,000 words, Poetry: 3 pages Entry Fee: $15 Prizes: First for fiction: $1,000, First for poetry: $1,000, Selected for publication: $25 |
| MARCH 2022 | |
| 24/03/2022 NEW LISTING |
KSP Little Black Dress Spooky Story Competition Open to: Youth: Australian Residents. Adults: Western Australian residents Theme: Best Friend * Accepts: Youth (under 18) - Short Story Size: 500 words Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: WA First: $100 & certificate & copy of anthology, WA Second: $25 & certificate & copy of anthology, Interstate award: $50 & certificate & copy of anthology, Shire of Mundaring resident encouragement award: $25 & certificate & copy of anthology * Accepts: Adult - Short Story Size: 1,200 words Entry Fee: $10 Prizes: First: $100 & certificate & copy of anthology, Second: $50 & certificate & copy of anthology, Shire of Mundaring resident encouragement award: $25 & certificate & copy of anthology |
| 31/03/2022 NEW LISTING |
FAW Tasmania Nairda Lyne Award Open to: All Theme: Suitable for children aged 8-12 years Accepts: Short Story Size: 1,000 words Entry Fee: $5 Prize: $100 & winner's name inscribed on a plaque in the State Library Launceston Branch, Best Tasmanian Entry: Hobart Bookshop voucher |
| MAY 2022 | |
| 01/05/2022 NEW LISTING |
Future Leaders Writing Prize Open to: Year 11 & 12 students in Australian Secondary Schools Theme: None Accepts: Fiction or Non-fiction Size: 800 - 1,000 words Entry Fee: Nil Prize: First: $1,000 |
| 01/05/2022 NEW LISTING |
Questions Writing Prize Open to: Australian, 18 - 30 years Theme: None Accepts: Fiction or Non-fiction Size: 1,500 - 2,000 words Entry Fee: Nil Prize: $2,000 prize pool |