Opportunities for young writers
Competitions
The John Marsden Story Prize
1
Fiction prize for students in years 7-12, Cash and book prizes! Closes August 31, 2026
Open Australia wide, enter via Newstead Young Writers Festival
1
Express Media, ‘Little Stories, Big Ideas’ Prize
2
Voiceworks Magazine
A flash writing competition open to Australian secondary school-aged students across the nation. Open now, closes October 11, 2026. Enter via Express Media.
Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers
3
Recognising excellence in secondary school aged writers in three categories: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction and Poetry. Likely to open soon for 2026, but in the meantime, prepare your entry by checking here (and bookmarking the page).
Students in Years 5-12 could win some amazing prizes for themselves and their schools by writing an essay about ‘what matters’. This year’s prize is closed but it will open again in early 2027. Prepare your entry by clicking here (and bookmarking this page).
A literary magazine published by and for young people under 25 years of age. Check in for submission details as they take them throughout the year and have themes for each issue. This is also a good one to get involved in behind the scenes if you want to see how books and magazines are made!
www.voiceworksmag.com.au
Know of a writing competition or publication opportunity for young people?
Get in touch and I’ll update the list!
BWF Microfiction Prize (QLD students only)
4
A microfiction prize. Make sure you check the details by clicking here, as there is a prompt for this one. Open for entries from 5 August, and closes on 13 September.
Whitlam Institute ‘What Matters’ Prize
5
Publication opportunities
A list of opportunities for young writers.
Scroll dow from competitions to see Publication Opportunities with journals and anthologies
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