If you or a child you know is ready to put their written work out into the world, writing competitions are a great way to go. If the school holidays are dragging and boredom has set in, these competitions will provide the inspiration you need to get writing, editing and submitting in early 2023. There are great prizes for each competition, with four being run in Australia, and one based in America. So, sharpen those pencils or stretch out your typing fingers, because here is all the information you need to know to create your first writing competition entry for the year.
Write4Fun.net
Who? Kindergarten to Grade 12 (Your grade in 2022)
What? Poem or Short Story
When? Closes January 8th. Winners announced January 31st.
Entry: Free.
Prizes: All entries will be considered for inclusion in the Write4fun 2023 Anthology.
Winners will receive complimentary copies of the book in addition to the prizes listed below. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
Under 8 years:
1x Winner Prize is $200.00 JB Hi-Fi Gift Card and a copy of the competition keepsake anthology featuring their writing.
1x Highly Commended Prize is a $50 Office Works Gift Card and a copy of the competition keepsake anthology featuring their writing.
9 – 12 years:
1x Winner Prize is $200.00 JB Hi-Fi Gift Card and a copy of the competition keepsake anthology featuring their writing.
1x Highly Commended Prize is a $50 Office Works Gift Card and a copy of the competition keepsake anthology featuring their writing.
13 – 15 years:
1x Winner Prize is $200.00 JB Hi-Fi Gift Card and a copy of the competition keepsake anthology featuring their writing.
1x Highly Commended Prize is a $50 Office Works Gift Card and a copy of the competition keepsake anthology featuring their writing.
16 years and over:
1x Winner Prize is $200.00 JB Hi-Fi Gift Card and a copy of the competition keepsake anthology featuring their writing.
1x Highly Commended Prize is a $50 Office Works Gift Card and a copy of the competition keepsake anthology featuring their writing.
KSP Writers Centre Spooky Stories Competition
Who? For children aged 8-17.
What? A Spooky Story inspired by the theme ‘After Midnight.’ Maximum 500 words.
When? Closes 15 March 2023
Entry: Free.
Prizes:
WA youth first prize: $100, certificate, complimentary copy of Spooky Story anthology
WA youth second prize: $25, certificate, complimentary copy of Spooky Story anthology
Youth interstate award: $50, certificate, complimentary copy of Spooky Story anthology
Shire of Mundaring resident encouragement award in both youth and adult categories: $25, certificate, complimentary copy of Spooky Story anthology
Shortlist/Highly Commended/Commended awards: Digital certificate and publication in anthology.
Little Stories, Big Ideas
Who? Secondary Students, 12-18 years.
What? Literary flash fiction. Maximum 100 words.
When? To be announced, but previously it has been run four times a year, coinciding with school terms.
Entry: Free.
Prizes: Two categories. Year 7-9 and Year 10-12
EngineerGirl International Writing Contest
Who? School students in Grade 3-12. This is a USA based competition, so use your equivalent grade when entering.
What? Short story or essay about one of the 20 Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century as listed on the website. Length and form of written work depends on age of entrant.
When? February 1st EST – check the equivalent time in Australia.
Entry: Free.
Prizes: Awarded for three age categories: Grade 3-5, Grade 6-9 and Grade 9-12
First-place winners will be awarded $500.
Second-place entries will be awarded $250.
Third-place entries will be awarded $100.
Write a piece that shows how women and/or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements. Submissions will be judged by a slate of volunteers that include professionals from various engineering fields. In addition to checking that submissions meet all of the basic rules, they will be looking for:
- Presentation of engineering (~35%)
- Celebration of diversity (~50%)
- Quality of writing (~15%)
Kids News
This short story competition has run in the previous few years, and though dates for 2023 have not been advertised yet, entries usually close mid-year. It has free entry and is open to students from Kindergarten to Year 9.