Are you a young writer? Do you know someone who is? Our student writing awards celebrate the young creative voices of the Northern Rivers with cash prizes and publishing opportunities up for grabs. Time to get writing!

Susie Warrick Young Writers Award

In memory of Susie Warrick, this award celebrates the art of the short story and supports emerging young writers in furthering their career with a $500 cash prize for first place per category.

The Brief: Write an original short story up to 1000 words on any theme.

Prize Category 1: Year 10 to 12 students
Prize Category 2: Year 7 to 9 students

The Jesse Blackadder Prize

In memory of Jesse Blackadder, this prize celebrates creativity and imagination in Stage 3 writers with a $300 cash prize for first place.

The Brief: Write an original short story from 500 to 1000 words on any theme.

Prize Category: Year 5 to 6 students

Eligibility & Key Dates

Entrants of both competitions must live within the Byron Writers Festival footprint, from Taree in the south, Kyogle in the west and Tweed Heads in the north.

Key Dates

• Submissions open: Thursday 9 June, 2022
• Applications Close: Monday 25 July, 2022 – 11.59pm (Submission window extended)
• Winners notified: Mid August. Please note all other entrants will be notified of the outcome at this time.

Prizes include:

• Susie Warrick Young Writers Award: a $500 cash prize per category.
• The Jesse Blackadder Prize: a $300 cash prize.
• A Festival Day Pass for Sunday 28 August, 2022
• Publication of each winning story in the Byron Writers Festival’s quarterly magazine, Northerly.
• A runner up from each category will have their stories published online at the Byron Writers Festival’s blog.

 Submission Guidelines

1. Write and polish an original short story.
2. Include the title in the header of your story.
3. Submit your story as a Word Document – Arial 12-point font preferred.
4. Submissions are judged anonymously. Your name should not be included anywhere on your story – it should only be entered on the submission form.
5. Entries are limited to one submission per person. A list of all Terms & Conditions can be found here.
6. Click on the online Application link to submit your story by the closing date above.

Prizes are generously sponsored by the Warrick Family, Hilarie Dunn and the Byron Writers Festival Jesse Blackadder Memorial Fund.

About Susie Warrick & Jesse Blackadder

Susie Warrick was a much loved staff member at the Northern Rivers Writers Centre (now Byron Writers Festival). The Susie Warrick Young Writers Award was established to honour her memory, celebrate the art of the short story, and to support emerging young writers in furthering their career.

The Jesse Blackadder Prize was created in 2020 in memory of Jesse Blackadder, much loved Board member, author and founder of Byron Writers Festival’s StoryBoard program.

Read the 2021 winning stories here.

For some valuable tips on entering Writing Competitions click here: https://www.melindatognini.com.au/writing-competitions-what-you-need-to-know-before-entering/

If you have any enquires, please email [email protected]