Opportunities for Young Writers
Flash Lab
Night Parrot Press is an independent publisher in Perth. Their Flash Lab is open to young writers aged 12-17, where flash fiction pieces under 500 words have a chance to be published on their website - a new story is published every week!
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Furious Fiction
55 hours. 500 words. Run by the Australian Writers Centre, Furious Fiction occurs on the first Friday of each month. You will be provided with a set of prompts and have the weekend to write your short story. Open to writers 17 and over.
Prize: $500 to the winner. Shortlisted entries are published on the website
Enter Here
Voiceworks
Published by Express Media, Voiceworks is a national quarterly journal that features exciting new writing and art by young Australians. People under the age of 25 have the chance to publish their fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art and comics. The journal is available in most states of Australia but unfortunately not WA yet. You can purchase the journal online.
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IndigoTeen Magazine
IndigoTeen is publication created by teenagers for teenagers. They are accepting text and imagery submissions, from short stories, essays, comics, fanfiction, artwork, and more!
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Text Prize
Published and unpublished writers of all ages are invited to submit works of fiction or non-fiction for young readers.
Prize: A publishing contract with Text and a $10,000 advance against royalties
Closes: 26 February 2024
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Spooky Stories Competition
Run by the KSP Writers' Centre, this annual spooky story competition is free for youth to enter. The theme for 2024 is 'Don't Look Up'.
Prize: Cash prizes and publication in an anthology
Closes: 13 March 2024
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John Gavin Writing Competition
Run annually by the Fremantle Roundhouse, the John Gavin Writing Competition draws on the trial of John Gavin in the 1840s Swan River colony. The theme is 'Lost Worlds' but the form and genre is open. There's a category for WA students.
Prize: Cash prizes
Closes: 12 May 2024
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What Matters? Writing Competition
Inspired by Gough Whitlam's commitment to involving young people in shaping Australia's future, the What Matters? writing competition is currently open to school students in Years 5 to 12 from Australia. Responding to the simple question 'what matters?', entrants are free to express their views on any matter they care about.
Prize: Various cash prizes and trophies
Closes: 17 May 2024
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Beyond Words Competition
The Dymocks Beyond Words Competition is searching for Australia’s most creative and passionate young writers! Open to primary and high school students across Australia, all they need to do is send in their best short story between 500 and 1500 words.
Prize: Various cash prizes
Closes: 31 May 2024
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Make Your Own Story Book Competition
Run by the Children's Book Council of WA, this competition calls for the creation of an original picture or story book with text and illustrations, open to WA students from Pre-Primary to Year 8.
Prize: TBA
Closes: 7 June 2024
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Randolph Stow Young Writers Award
This annual award is run by the City of Greater Geraldton and is open to students in Years 3 - 12 studying/residing in the Midwest and Gascoyne regions (as per Department of Education). Students can enter works of poetry or prose.
Prize: TBA
Closes: 1 July 2024
Enter Here