It’s awards season! 6 writing competitions to enter.

Recently we were excited to learn that Australian Writers’ Centre graduate Sharon Elisara took out the top prize in the Hunters Writers Centre Grieve Competition, pocketing herself a cool $1000 for what was only the second story she'd ever written! You can read her entry ‘In Her Day' here. It’s pretty inspirational stuff, and brings up a great point about writing.

It can be easy to focus your energy on the big goal – a published novel, or perhaps a byline in your favourite magazine. But while you’re working towards that, entering a writing competition is an excellent way to hone your craft, and could give you some cash and recognition as well.

Here’s a selection of writing competitions currently out there – good luck!

Queensland Literary Awards

Entries are now open for Queensland residents in this major annual word-search. There are ten award categories in total – offering opportunities for both published and emerging writers, along with four fellowships. Book categories include fiction, non-fiction, young adult, children’s and history, along with a short story award, poetry prize and unpublished indigenous writer and manuscript award. Add to this three fellowships and cash prizes of at least $5000 for each category, and it’s worth a look.
Entries close 19 September – check it out here.

The Port Stephens Examiner Literature Awards

These awards close on 30 September, with $1100 in prize money for original short stories up to 2000 words in length.

Winners will be announced at the Tilligerry Arts Festival in mid-November, and you can find all the details here (click on ‘Literature Award' in the sidebar).

Noosa Arts Theatre National One-Act Playwriting Competition

If you fancy yourself as a playwright, get your entry in by 1 October for this competition that actually attracts entries from the likes of NZ, USA and UK, as well as all throughout Australia. The cash on offer is $3000 for 1st place, $2000 for 2nd, $1000 for 3rd. Take a look at the details here.

Margaret River 2014 Short Story Writing Competition

You have until 18 October to enter this one – nationwide entries, 3000-word maximum and open theme. The winner pockets a prize valued at $1500, including $500 cash and flights and accommodation to the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival. More details here.

Odyssey House Victoria 4th Annual Short Story Competition

As reported earlier on this blog, write a story of no more than 1500 words on the theme of ‘denial’, with reference to alcohol and/or drugs. First place will get you $1000 and a one year membership to Writers Victoria. Closes 31 October – full details can be found here.

Josephine Ulrick Literature & Poetry Prizes 2015

Offering one of the biggest poetry and short story prizes in the world has been announced for 2015, with a mighty $10,000 first prize and $5,000 second prize for short stories up to 2000 words in the Literature Prize. Add to this the same cash values for the top two poems (up to 100 lines) and that’s some serious cash for your well-placed words! Start limbering up, as entries open 1 December 2014 and close Friday 13 February 2015, with winners being announced in May 2015.
Definitely worth a look!

Note, we provide these competition details for your interest and this should not be taken as a sign of endorsement. Please do your own research when entering any awards or competitions listed on this site. Thanks!