Are you interested in writing competitions? Here you will find a summary of excerpts from recently announced competitions. Click the competition title to read more details.
Although the competitions may be conducted by the FAW NSW state body or by its Branches, they are still open to the general public, unless stated to the contrary. You may also find some outstanding writing opportunities from other groups but FAW NSW takes no responsibility for competitions administered by other organisations.
For Conditions of Entry relating to individual competitions, and to obtain an entry form (where required), contact the relevant competition organisers.
Next Generation Short Story Writing Opportunity
Closing date Thursday 27 February 2025
The Next Generation Short Story Awards, currently in its second year, is a not-for-profit international awards program for authors of short stories. The Short Story Awards is now accepting entries of short stories and poems in English (5000 words or less) for the 2025 awards program in 30+ categories.
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Tasmanian Writers’ Prize 2025
Entries close February 14, 2025
The prize is for short stories up to 3,000 words having an island, or island-resonant, theme.
The winning entry receives a cash prize of $500 and all finalists’ stories will appear in the
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Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2025
Closing date February 13, 2025
The Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the most exciting and rewarding book awards program open to independent publishers and authors worldwide, is currently accepting entries written in English and released in 2023,
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Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction 2025
- Opens: Midday 24 January 2025 AEDT;
- Closes: Midnight 26 January 2025 AEDT
The Not Quite Write Prize challenges writers to break the writing ‘rules’ while still telling a compelling 500-word story.
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The 2024 Rae Cerhan Poetry Competition is closed
The FAW 2024 Rae Alison Cerhan Australiana Ballad competition closed to new entries at 6.00pm AEDT Thursday 31 October 2024.
Judging is now under way and prizes will be awarded at a venue and date to be advised.
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The 2024 Ernestine Hill Short Story Award is closed
The FAW 2024 Ernestine Hill Australian Country themed short story competition closed to new entries at 6.00pm AEDT Thursday 31 October 2024.
Judging is now under way and the award will be announced at a venue and date to be advised.
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Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction 2024
Opens: Midday 18 October 2024; Closes: Midnight 20 October 2024 AEDT
The Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction challenges writers to create an original piece of fiction based on two typical writing prompts plus one anti-prompt.
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The Jean Stone 2024 Poetry Competition is closed
Entries for the 2024 FAW Jean Stone Poetry Competition closed at 6:00pm Saturday 31 August.
Judging is now under way. The judge’s report and winner’s name will be emailed to all contestants after 31st October. 2024.
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The Hilarie Lindsay 2024 Poetry Competition is closed
Entries for the 2024 FAW Hilarie Lindsay Poetry Competition for Australian School Students closed at 6:00pm Saturday 31st August.
Judging is now under way. Winners in each section will be notified prior to 31st October. There will be no individual appraisals.
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The Stringybark Times Past Short Story Award 2024
Closing date 29 September 2024
Stringybark Stories is proud to announce its 43rd short story competition since 2010. The Stringybark ‘Times Past’ Story Award 2024 is now accepting entries. This is their sixth historical fiction competition exploring Australian history.
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The Best of Times Short Story Competition No 38 (Spring 2024)
Closing Date 31 Oct 2024
Genre: Humorous short stories up to 2,500 words.
Prizes for first, second and third place.
Certificates for highly commended and commended stories.
Entry fee $10 per story.
See website for further information: www.bestoftimes.com.au
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Eastwood Hills FAW 2024 Literary Competition: Results
FLASH FICTION
1st place: ‘Heading Off’ David Brelsford
2nd place: ‘Walking to the Strand’ Thom. James
Highly Commended: ‘The Whisper of Trees’ Dianne Morton
Highly Commended: ‘An Ordinary Day’ Karen Payne
Commended: ‘Voices’ Christabel Strehle
Commended: ‘Farewell Francesca’ Robyn Knibb
PHILIPPA HOLLAND AWARD FOR POETRY
1st Place: ‘Two Canticles’ Colleen Keating
2nd Place: ‘Breathe…’ David Campbell
Highly Commended: ‘ungraspable’ Colleen Keating
Highly Commended: ‘Languid Ribbons’ David Terelinck
Highly Commended: ‘Embarking on a Poet’s Lighthouse Residency’ Ronald Atilano
Highly Commended: ‘Cloud Reading’ Richenda Rudman
Commended: ‘The Human Heart is 73% Water’ David Terelinck
Commended: ‘No Drone’ Ronald Atilano
ALAN RUSSELL AWARD FOR MEMOIR
1st place: ‘Peril Beyond the Moment’ Karen Payne
2nd place: ‘Tough’ Cheryl Lockwood
SHORT STORY
First Place: ‘The Seat at Table Rock’ David Campbell
Second Place: ‘The Gift’ Mike Woodhouse
Highly Commended: ‘Blind Faith’ Gayle Neighbour
Highly Commended: ‘The Driving Lesson’ Ivy Jacqueline Higgs
|Highly Commended: ‘Lunch Meeting’ Tania Park
Commended: ‘The Aroma of Coffee’ David Brelsford
Commended: ‘Children Know Best’ Tania Park
Commended: ‘On Second Thoughts’ Robyn Knibb.
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Lambing Flat Young FAW Writing Competition 2024
In conjunction with the NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL, YOUNG NSW
Closing Date 11 October 2024
Encouraging Writers since 1982
ADULT OPEN SHORT STORY and POETRY SECTIONS
Word Limit 1,500 Short Story, Poems 50 Lines.
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Hammond House Publishing [UK] International Literary Prize 2024
Closing date: 30 September 2024
Calling all writers, poets, scriptwriters and songwriters! Why not ENTER the 2024 Hammond House Publishing International Literary Prize? Sponsored by the University Centre Grimsby, the RSA and Appleleaf Chartered Certified Accountants,
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Results: The FAW NSW 2023 Ernestine Hill and Rae Cerhan Competitions
The Inaugural 2023 Ernestine Hill Memorial Short Story Competition:
Winner: Rachel Flynn, Fitzroy North, Victoria
Story Title: ‘Griffith’
The 2023 Rae Alison Cerhan Australiana Ballad:
Winner: Nola Vickery
Poem Title: ‘Under Opal Skies’.
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2024 Fiction Factory Short Story Competition (UK)
Closing date: 31 July 2024
Maximum word count: 3000
Top Prize £500 plus publication on the Fiction Factory website.
Fees: £7 (£13 for 2, £18 for 3 stories)
Optional Critique available!
For information and submissions,
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