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LITERARY CONTESTS AND EVENTS

Writers need communities to belong to so that they feel less out-of-step with the rest of the world. It's nice to know there are conferences, workshops, and events that cater to your needs. Xlibris offers this listing as a courtesy to our authors; however, it is in no way affiliated with the events or organizations posted. Please contact event organizers directly with any questions.

CONTESTS

Boroondara Literary Awards

Deadline: August 31, 2018

The Boroondara Literary Awards are open to entries from Australian residents both young and old, of varying word-lengths dependent on the category of entrant. Possible entries range from poetry to open short stories. Find out more at: https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/about-council/awards/boroondara-literary-awards/enter-boroondara-literary-awards.

NZSA National Short Story Competition

Deadline: July 31, 2018

Open to unpublished short stories, the National Short Story Competition run by the NZSA offers prizes ranging from $50 book tokens to a first prize consisting of $300 and publication on the NorthWrite website. Find out more at: https://authors.org.nz/event/national-short-story-competition-run-by-northland-branch-nzsa/ .

Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

Deadline of entries: 2 May 2016

If you’re a self-published author looking for that one big break, here’s your chance to make a name for yourself at the premier competition made exclusively for self-published books: the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. The grand prize winner will get $8,000 in cash, a feature article in the March/April 2017 issue of Writer’s Digest, a press release from Writer’s Digest to be sent—along with a copy of the winning book—to 10 different major publishing review houses, a paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Conference, and more! To learn more about this contest, please visit their website.

2016 Bristol Short Story Prize

Deadline of entries: 30 April 2016

A UK-based short story competition but open to all, the Bristol Short Story Prize accepts short stories that are on any theme or subject. Maximum number of words is 4,000, and entries must be original and unpublished. Cash prizes await the winners, plus a feature in the Bristol Short Story anthology. To learn more, visit https://www.bristolprize.co.uk/news/2016-bristol-short-story-prize-now-open/.

Little Fictions

Deadline of Entries: 1 May 2016

Little Fictions is a unique literary event under the Sydney Writers Festival Program, Bondi Feast, Sydney Fringe, and Wollongong Writers Festival. It showcases talented actors performing rehearsed readings in front of audiences.

They’re now looking for unpublished short fiction works that are up to 2,000 words in length. Any story form will do as long as it is strong and resonating enough to enthral a listening audience. Entrants should be Australian citizens and at least 18 years old.

To know more or to join this contest, please visit their website here.

The Scribe Nonfiction Prize for Young Writers

Deadline of Entries: 2 May 2016

A cash award of $3,000 awaits the winner of the 4th Scribe Nonfiction Prize for Young Writers. Open to Australian residents aged 30 and below, entries should be non-fiction works like real life stories, memoirs, or essays.

Aside from the cash prize, the winner will also receive an editorial mentorship to develop their work for publication, and a selection of Scribe books tailored to their reading interests.

To know more or to join this contest, visit their website here.

Wigtown Poetry Competition

Deadline of Entries: 27 May 2016

The Wigtown Poetry Prize is a Scotland-based competition, but is open to anyone throughout and outside the UK. Poems shouldn’t exceed 40 lines and can be in English, Gaelic, or Scots. There is no required theme, so poems can be in any subject matter. Entries can be sent online or through post.

To know more or to join this contest, visit their website here.

ACU Prize for Poetry

Deadline of Entries: 6 June 2016

The Australian Catholic University (ACU) aims to support local writers and uphold the Catholic Church’s tradition of being a key patron of the arts through the ACU Prize for Poetry. This year’s theme is “Loving Kindness” as poetry is a powerful medium to reflect manifestations of this virtue.

Open to Australian residents, poems should be original, unpublished, and must not exceed 80 lines. A cash prize of $7,000 will be awarded to the first place winner.

To know more or to join this contest, visit their website here.

Ledbury Poetry Festival: Poetry Competition

Deadline of Entries: 7 July 2016

The Ledbury Poetry Festival is one of the biggest poetry festivals in the UK. In partnership with the National Writers’ Centre for Wales, the event is looking for poem entries that are not more than 40 lines long, original, and previously published. Although the festival takes place in the UK, writers from anywhere in the world can join this competition.

To know more or to join this contest, visit their website here.

Shore Scripts

Deadline of Entries: 31 August 2016

Ever dreamt of becoming a scriptwriter for TV or Cinema? Your best chance is to join the Shore Scripts Competition. The competition comes in four different categories: Feature, TV Pilot, Short Film Fund, and Short. Writers from all around the world are welcome to join as long as the entry script is written in English.

Entries will be judged by the most prestigious people in the industry—Oscar, Bafta, Emmy, Golden Globes, and/or Cannes awardees. Top scripts will be sent to over 70 production companies and partner agents around the world. Winners will also receive cash and other prizes.

To know more or to join this contest, visit their website here.

The Heywire Competition

Deadline of entries: 16 September 2016

The Heywire Competition is open to young writers aged 16 to 22 who live outside Australia’s big cities. Stories should be about true-to-life personal experiences and challenges, or real stories about the town or community. Recommended length of stories is just 400 words, and writers are allowed to send in more than just one entry! To learn more, visit http://www.abc.net.au/heywire/competition/

Manchester Writing Competition

Deadline of Entries: 23 September 2016

The Manchester Writing Competition was established by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy in 2008 to attract the best new writing from anywhere in the world. It is now open in two categories: Poetry Prize and Fiction Prize.

Although a UK-based competition, writers outside the UK can still join as long as they are above 16 years of age. For Poetry Prize entries, poems should be in English and should not exceed 120 lines. For Fiction Prize entries, short stories should also be in English and should not be more than 2,500 words.

To know more or to join this contest, visit their website here.


CONFERENCE AND EVENTS

2018 Going West Books and Writers Festival

Duration: September 1- 23, 2018

For over 20 years the Going West Books and Writers Festival brings together in one place New Zealand’s best and most beloved writers. With discussions, performances, and other live events, the Festival engages thousands in New Zealand’s literary culture, all taking place in the West Auckland Region. Find out more at: https://www.goingwestfest.co.nz/.

Canberra Writers Festival 2018

Duration: August 24-26, 2018

The Canberra Writers Festival showcases writers of local, national, and international acclaim, in select venues across and throughout the city of Canberra. Attend guest lectures and panels, dinner events, book launches, and workshops that take advantage of Canberra’s rich culture and scenery. Find out more at: http://www.canberrawritersfestival.com.au/.

Jane Austen Festival

Event is from 15 to 17 April 2016

First started in 2008, the Jane Austen Festival Australia has since become an annual celebration where Austen and Napoleonic fans can gather and indulge in dancing, music, fencing, archery, grand balls, books, and everything associated with the Regency era.

The festival essentially celebrates the life and works of Jane Austen. Dressing up in Regency costume is not required but highly encouraged. Know more about their program by visiting http://janeaustenfestival.com/program/.

Jane Austen Festival

Event is from 15 to 17 April 2016

First started in 2008, the Jane Austen Festival Australia has since become an annual celebration where Austen and Napoleonic fans can gather and indulge in dancing, music, fencing, archery, grand balls, books, and everything associated with the Regency era.

The festival essentially celebrates the life and works of Jane Austen. Dressing up in Regency costume is not required but highly encouraged. Know more about their program by visiting http://janeaustenfestival.com/program/.

Sydney Writers’ Festival

Event is from 16 to 22 May 2016

The Sydney Writers’ Festival brings various writers together—including novelists, screenwriters, nonfiction writers, and even musicians. The programme is driven by the ideas and issues that are brought to life through literature.

Each year, the festival draws an audience of 100,000 throughout different locations, but the heart of the festival is at Walsh Bay on Sydney Harbour. To check out this year’s line-up, visit their website here.

National Simultaneous Storytime

Event is on 25 May 2016

National Simultaneous Storytime has been held annually for 16 years by the Australian Library and Information Association. The event aims to promote the value of reading among young Australian children. Every year, a chosen picture book by an Australian author will be read simultaneously in libraries, schools, bookshops, and other places all over the country.

For 2016, the chosen book to be read is Got This Hat, written by Jol and Kate Temple and illustrated by Jon Foye. Anyone is encouraged to register and participate! You can learn more at https://www.alia.org.au/nss.

Emerging Writers’ Festival

Event is from 14 to 24 June 2016

The Emerging Writers’ Festival is Australia’s premier festival dedicated to new upcoming authors. This non-profit event aims to celebrate creativity and innovation bynurturing talents and representing diverse voices across Australia.

Learn more about what this festival has in store for you by visiting their page here.

Kids & YA Festival

Event is on 25 June 2016

Award-winning children’s author Aleesah Darlison will once again direct the Kids & YA Festival in 2016. Submissions from authors, illustrators, publishers, agents, and other interested parties are welcome. The festival will also showcase works of successful authors, illustrators, and industry professionals. To know more or to register, visit https://www.nswwc.org.au/whats-on/festivals-2/kids-and-ya-festival-2016/.

The Watercooler

7th July, 4th August, 1st September, 6th October, 3rd November, 1st December

The Watercooler provides a platform for people from all walks to tell stories both true and imagined. Storytellers are given a simple brief to share a story inspired by the month’s theme, whether based on real-life experiences or entirely fictional.

Past storytellers have been writers, journalists, playwrights, comedians, fashion designers, musicians, poets and more. Each issue features a guest host and is brought together by a guest producer - so you never know which familiar face you might see on our stage.

https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/the-watercooler/auckland

2016 Mildura Writers Festival

Festival is from 14 to 17 July

Australian writers are invited to a winter program of workshops, lectures, and discussion forums. What began in 1994 in Stefano de Pierre’s cellar restaurant, has grown into what has been praised as one of “the finest literary festivals in the country.” The entire experience combines the provincial Victorian winter, late night discussions around the fire, and a showcase of regional delicacies and wine, into a warm atmosphere celebrating Australia’s literary talents. Guests included such renowned writers as JM Coetzee, David Malouf, and others.

If you wish to learn more about the Festival, please click on this link.

Words in Winter

August 1-31, 2016

Words in Winter is a not-for-profit festival celebrating words, stories and ideas of all manners and forms. The festival is for both locals and visitors, consisting of local and visiting presenters, and including events in writing, readings, poetry, theatre, music, talks, workshops, visiting authors, and exhibitions. Founded by David Hall in 2002, Words in Winter has grown from being a Daylesford-only event into an annual literary and arts festival.

https://writersvictoria.org.au/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=136

Batemans Bay Writers and Readers Festival

Event is from 9 to 11 September 2016

Once again, the Batemans Bay Writers and Readers Festival is coming back in 2016 to inspire, educate, and enhance cultural and literary experience among authors, readers, and creative-minded people.

The festival aims to present a variety of writers from different genres and cultural perspectives to an all inclusive audience, support local and regional businesses, and hopefully attract more tourists in the Batemans Bay area. To know about the festival’s lineup, visit http://batemansbaywritersfestival.com/.

WriteSpace Retreat

Duration: November 6, 2016

Writers are invited to enjoy a whole day of writing in Melbourne. Enjoy a metropolitan retreat that will include coffee, proper tea, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Practice your writing with writing prompts. Study excerpts from published works highlighting different aspect of writing. Enjoy various journals and publications.

Wellington’s War of the Worlds

Duration: November 24, 2016

Take part in a celebration of H.G. Wells and his classic novel War of the Worlds. Enjoy an improve performance of this science fiction classic at the Space Place planetarium, at Kelburn, Wellington.