Competition Noticeboard

Welcome to the Competition Noticeboard. This page has been developed due to the large number of writing competitions aside from the major awards, that writers can enter. These are national and international writing competitions that are open to all.

NATIONAL:

CLL/NZSA Research Grants

The New Zealand Society of Authors is pleased to announce two new grants for research towards a writing project.

Findings from our 2007 survey of authors’ incomes and contact with a number of members show there is a strong feeling of a lack of support for non-fiction writers.
Non-fiction requires a significant investment from the author prior to publication: research costs such as travel, accommodation, research material and photographs are direct costs to the author. In the survey several non-fiction authors signified that these costs were now making non-fiction writing too expensive to undertake.
Having funding available to provide research fellowships to support research for a project would be a means to address some of this need. Copyright Licensing Limited has agreed to sponsor two such awards for three years.

One of the grants, for either fiction or non-fiction, will be for a fellowship at the Stout Centre in Wellington.
Early in 2007 discussions were held with the Stout Centre director, Lydia Wevers, regarding reinstatement of the Stout Fellowship which began in 1991 with a grant of $5000 from the QEII Arts Council and later sponsored by The Readers’ Digest who carried on funding it until 1996.
This new award will offer a study at the Stout Research Centre for up to three months, access to VUW facilities (Internet, printers, library, secretarial services, photocopying and the kitchen), as well as the $3,500 award.
The other CLL Research Award, also for $3,500 and for either fiction or non-fiction, will be awarded to a project-based application where the applicant specifies where the research is to take place.
For application forms please contact NZSA National Office programmes@nzauthors.org.nz

The Royal Society of New Zealand Manhire Prize for Creative Science Writing
The Royal Society of New Zealand, in association with the New Zealand Listener and the International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML), at Victoria University of Wellington, has established a prize for creative science writing. The Royal Society of New Zealand Manhire Prize for Creative Science Writing will have two cash prizes of $2500 each for the best fiction and non-fiction entries. The entries close on 16 August. Click here for more information.

Heartland 1000, Short Story Competition

The Taumarunui Writers’ Group is celebrating its fifth annual Heartland Short Story competition with the announcement of a one-off special, the Heartland 1000: one thousand words for a $1000 prize.In addition, there is a junior section for those 19 and under, with a $250 prize awarded at the judge’s discretion. Every year of its existence TWG has successfully organised a nationwide short story competition.TWG is pleased to announce that award-winning novelist William Taylor will judge the entries, and would like to acknowledge the assistance of Creative New Zealand.

The closing date is September 30. Entry form and conditions: helen_barry@clear.net.nz or Heartland 1000, 9 South Street, Taumarunui, POSTCODE 3920. (SSAE required for postal queries).

Massey University Speech Writing Competition

The competition commemorates New Zealand’s most famous speech: David Lange's address at the 1985 Oxford Union debate.  Two prizes of $1,000 are being offered to the writers of the best speeches containing the term “hold your breath” used in Mr Lange's address at the debate. The speech can be on any topic, and entrants can use any genre (e.g. motivational, humorous, persuasive).
The competition is open to anyone living in New Zealand, and there are two categories – under 21 years old and 21 and over. Speeches should be no longer than 2,000 words and will be judged purely on the words written.
The competition closed on 7 June 2008. For more information, please click here: http://communication.massey.ac.nz/  Enquiries please contact Dr. Heather Kavan at Massey University, 06 356 9099 ext 2380. Email: H.Kavan@massey.ac.nz

The Landfall Essay Competition 2008

Due to a change in the Landfall production programme, the submission due date for the 2008 Landfall Essay Competition, New Zealand’s most prestigious award of its type has been extended to 5 pm,  30 July 2008.
The prize, worth $2500 and a year’s subscription to the journal, will be judged by novelist and poet Martin Edmond. Past winners have included an academic, a taxi-driver, a human rights activist and a photographer: the prize has been awarded variously to senior and up-and-coming writers.
The purpose of the competition remains as it was at the outset: to encourage New Zealand writers to think aloud about New Zealand culture, and to revive and sustain the tradition of vivid, contentious and creative essay writing in this country—as embodied in the non-fiction of early Landfall contributors such as Bill Pearson, in the essays of past winners of this competition, and in the essays the journal continues to publish.

Essays may be on any topic, though there is a limit of 6000 words, and work must not have been previously published. Writers will be either New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. Only one entry per person will be accepted, and Landfall reserves the right to publish both the winning and shortlisted entries at the editor’s discretion.

• Manuscripts should be supplied in hard and soft copies, with text saved as RTF, MS Word or text-only files on a CD. Email entries will not be accepted.
• Two hard copies of manuscripts are required. These should be typed with double-line spacing and a wide left-hand margin.
• The name, address and telephone number of the author should appear on a separate sheet of the manuscript.
• Entries should be addressed to: Landfall Essay Competition, Otago University Press, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.

For more information on rules and guidelines, visit; http://www.otago.ac.nz/press/landfall/essaycompetition.html
Contact: Richard Reeve, Otago University Press, richard.reeve@stonebow.otago.ac.nz, ph. 03 479 5851
Landfall Essay Competition Prize

Bernard Gadd Memorial Poetry Prize 2008
Deadline 4pm, 30 June
The Gadd Family, in conjunction with Manukau Libraries, are pleased to announce the inaugural Bernard Gadd Memorial Poetry Prize. This annual competition commemorates Manukau poet the late Bernard Gadd and continues his support of Manukau poets.
Entries welcome from all Manukau poets aged 18 and above. Prizes include: 1st prize: $100 and publication of the winning poem on the Manukau Libraries’ Manukau in Poetry website; 2nd Prize $50; 3rd Prize $25. Entry details from Jocelyn Watkin jwatkin@clear.net.nz. Judges: Journalist and editor David Gadd, Bernard’s son; poet Melissa Steiner and poet and teacher Alan Papprill. Winners will be announced at an awards presentation at Howick Library on Montana Poetry day - Friday 18 July - at 12 noon.

The New Zealand Poetry Society's 2008 International Poetry Competition
This competition closed on 30 May for 2008. Details can be found on the website at http://www.poetrysociety.org.nz/about2008competition. Entry forms are available from the Competition Secretary on competition@poetrysociety.org.nz or by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope, marked "Competition Entry Form" to: Competition Secretary, PO Box 5283, Wellington 6145.

Pikihuia Awards for Māori Writers
Formerly the Huia Short Story Awards, and the E tuhi! Get writing! Awards for Maori Writers, The Pikihuia Awards for Māori Writers is open to anyone of Māori heritage.
The invitation to submit short stories in English or Māori, novel extracts and film scripts has closed..
Prizes include over $12,000 in cash, as well as the chance to be published. Past finalists include Briar Grace-Smith, Paula Morris, James George and Kelly Ana Morey. James George won the Short Story Award in 2001 with an extract from his unpublished novel Hummingbird (2003) which went on to become a finalist in the Montana Book Awards 2004.   
This year George and Morey return as judges, along with film-maker Barry Barclay and TV personality Wena Harawira. 
For more details check out www.huia.co.nz, otherwise contact Huia Publishers on 04 473 9262 or email pikihuia@huia.co.nz.

South Island Writers’ Assoc Short Story Competition
Write a story for young teenagers and win $250!  The South Island Writers' Association are pleased to announce their Short Story Competition 2008.  The competition is open to all residents of New Zealand, and will be budged by James Norcliffe, poet and writer of young adult fiction. Entry Fee $5.00.
First prize: $250 Second prize: $100. In addition, a number of stories will be Highly Commended.
The story should be aimed at readers between the ages of 12 and 14. The theme is open, and the maximum length is 1,500 words, there is no minimum length.
The closing date is September 30th 2008.
Send application form, SSAE, cheque and stories to 
SIWA,  SS COMP 2008,  PO Box 37136,  Halswell,  Christchurch 8245

The Six Pack
NZ Book Month hunts for literary talent and calls upon all Kiwi writers to submit their best piece of new writing to the The Six Pack Competition each year..
Submissions closed on 26 March 2008 for the 2008 competition.
Visit www.nzbookmonth.co.nz  for more information.

Katikati Haiku Competition
This is an open-theme haiku contest for all ages, with proceeds going to the Haiku Pathway project.
Cash prizes totalling $80 in the senior section; $55 in the junior. Proceeds go to the Katikati Haiku Pathway project. Send 2 copies of each poem with 1 copy only including your name & contact details (if entering in the junior section also include your age). For results send ssae or include e-mail address. Results will be announced during Katikati's Mural Festival (September 29-October 4) and winning poems published in Bravado literary journal. Send unpublished poems only (broadcast or appearance on the internet is deemed to constitute publication).
Deadline: In hand August 30, 2008.
Cost: 18 & over: $NZ5/3 haiku or $NZ2/haiku; . 17 & under: $NZ1 for up to 2 haiku
Send entries to: Katikati Haiku Contest, PO Box 183, Katikati, New Zealand. No e-mail entries.

Rodney Writes Writing Competition – Kiwi Culture
Your story will be based on a well known New Zealand word or phrase that represents our Kiwi culture to you.   Prizes are awarded for the Premier Award $1,000 (first), $500 (runner up), Novice Award $500 (first), $200 (runner up) and Young Writers Award $500 (first) $200 (runner up).  The closing date is 14 March 2008.  The entry fee is $5.  The winner is expected to attend the prize giving on 23 April 2008.  Entry forms are available at all branches of Rodney Libraries and on the Rodney District Council website.

Rawene Short Story Competition
The Rawene Short Story Competition is a biennial competition that takes place on even-numbered years. It will next be held in April/May 2008, and is administrated by the Northland Branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors. For more information contact: Janine McVeagh, NZSA (PEN NZ) Inc Northland Branch, RD 4, Whangarei, Ph/Fax: (09) 405 7529, Mobile: 021 187 1492 or Email: janine.mcveagh@ihug.co.nz.

Aotearoa Playwrights Conference 2008 – A Playwrights’ Retreat
This year Playmarket is doing something different. We are creating a retreat to provide playwrights the space to work on a play, with no pressures, and within a community of 10 playwrights. This seven-day retreat (including two travel days) will be at Strathean Country Retreat, in Te Horo, one hour north of Wellington. The retreat will be fully catered, allowing playwrights time to be only a playwright, and immerse themselves into the world of their plays.
Retreat – 21-27 July, 2008  
There is no fee. This retreat is fully funded by Creative New Zealand and Playmarket, however travel to and from the retreat will be at your expense. Places are limited and preference will be given to client writers. 
Applications close 28 May. 
For more info, please email scripts@playmarket.org.nz for a brochure, or phone Jean Betts or Janie Walker 04 382 8462.

Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Awards for 2008
The Ashton Wylie charitable Trust awards offer one of the largest prizes awarded for literature in New Zealand with two $10,000 prizes, one for an unpublished manuscript, and one for a published book.
Judges for the 2008 awards include Pathfinder Bookshop owner Jennifer Eddington; book editor, publishing consultant and author Stephen Stratford; New Zealand author Richard Webster, and Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust trustee Adonia Wylie.
To be eligible for the awards, writers must be New Zealand citizens residing here. Unpublished manuscripts must be submitted by 31 March 2008, and be between 20,000 and 100,000 words in length.
Published books must be submitted by 31 May, should be 48 pages or longer, and must have been published between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2007.
Submission forms and entry details are available from The New Zealand Society of Authors national office 09 379 4801, programmes@nzauthors.org.nz or via post, PO Box 67-013, Mt Eden, Auckland 1349.
The awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust’s own venue, Hopetoun Alpha in Auckland in August 2008.

Whakatane Friends of the Library Short Story Competition 2007 
Open Section Short Story: Closing date:  30th March 2008. 
Entries must not exceed 1,500 words. Entry must be original and previously unpublished. All entries must be typed in double spacing. An entry fee of $5.00 for each story submitted.
Open Section Winner:   $400
The prize is proudly sponsored jointly by Norske Skog – and Friends of the Library.
To enable the winner to attend the prize giving, a night for two (should the winner live out of town):at Bay Hotel Units.
Local Entry Prize:   $150 proudly sponsored by Radio 1XX.
With author’s consent both stories will be published in the fiction section of ‘Bay Weekend.’
Under eighteen divisions - age must appear on the entry form.
1. For writers aged fourteen to seventeen years.
Entries must not exceed 1,000 words. All entries must be typed in double spacing. Entry fee $5.00 for one or two stories. Entry must be original and previously unpublished. First prize:   $150 proudly sponsored by New World Whakatane
 Local Entry Prize:   $100 proudly sponsored by New World Whakatane.
2. For writers aged nine to thirteen.
Entries must not exceed 750 words. Entry fee $5.00 for one or two stories. Entries may be hand written.
First Prize:   $100 book voucher proudly sponsored by Whitcoulls. Local Entry Prize:   $50 book voucher proudly sponsored by Whakatane Printers.
3. For writers aged eight years and under.
Entries must not exceed 500 words. No entry fee. Entries may be hand written. 1st Prize:   $50 book voucher proudly sponsored by Whitcoulls. Local Entry Prize:   $50 book voucher proudly sponsored by His Worship the Mayor.
Special Award: The Pat Gibbons Award for the young author who is deemed to be going places.
Local entries must be within the boundaries of the Whakatane and Opotiki District Councils.
An entry form and fee (where applicable) must accompany all entries - photocopies accepted - author’s name not to appear on manuscript - word count must appear on manuscript. The official prize giving will be held in May. For comments and results please include a SASE. The judge’s decision is final.
The ‘Open section’ is for all age groups. This is a nationwide competition and accepts entries from overseas. Please make the entry fee cheque to: Whakatane Friends of the Library.
If you include a self-addressed-envelope – you will receive a judging panel critique. If you require any further information you can email: Val Bird – thebirds@xtra.co.nz or Winsome Mitchell – jimwinmitchell@clear.net.nz

New Zealand Young Playwrights Competition
Playmarket is proud to announce the 2007 Ninth New Zealand Young Playwrights Competition. In 2007 the six winning plays will be given a week-long workshop at THE EDGE© in Auckland. NZYPC is open to any New Zealand resident between the ages of 16 and 22 at the time of entry. Submissions are due 8 December 2006. Plays must be more than 30 minutes in length. Entry is free and scripts may be in English or Maori. New Zealand Young Playwrights' Competition
For more info, please contact scripts@playmarket.org.nz.

Takahe Poetry Competition
Each year, Takahe magazine runs a competition that alternates between short story and poetry. The closing date for entries was 30 September 2007 and results posted out in December 2007. The judge was David Howard, poet and editor.

Takahe Poetry and Short Story Competition

Sunday Star Times Short Story Competition

Takahe Cultural Studies Competition

INTERNATIONAL:

Arvon International Poetry Competition
The Arvon International Poetry Competition 2008 is now open!The Arvon Foundation runs residential creative writing courses in the UK. A registered charity, they also runs a poetry competition each year. This year, the competition celebrates its 14th anniversary. Visit www.arvonfoundation.org for more information.
The deadline for entries is 15th August at 5pm.

Australian and New Zealand Society of Indexers (ANZSI) Medal
The Australian and New Zealand Society of Indexers' Medal is awarded annually for the most outstanding index to a book or periodical compiled in Australia or New Zealand.  The index must be in print and must have been published within the past three years (i.e. 2005-2007). It must have been compiled in Australia or New Zealand, even though the text to which it refers may have originated elsewhere.  The index should be substantial in size; the subject matter should be complex; and the language, form and structure of the index should demonstrate the indexer's expertise, as well as serving the needs of the text and reader.  The publisher of the winning index will be presented with a certificate recognising their promotion of work of outstanding quality.   The judges may also make 'highly commended' awards.
Nominations, with bibliographical details and a copy of the book (which will be returned if requested) should be sent to the Returning Officer.  Publishers, indexers and all interested people may nominate indexes, and indexers may nominate their own work.Click here for the website.
Dates: Entries open 5 May and close on July 14, 2008. The presentation of awards will be made at the annual meeting in October.
An entry form is available from the Returning Officer. Contact Alan Eddy, Returning Officer, Awards  PO Box 5062. Glenferrie South, Vic  3122, Tel (03) 9853 0991, Email: aeddy@surf.net.au

Watermark Fellowship
The next Fellowship will be open in early 2010.
The Watermark Fellowship is offered biennially to an emerging writer of natural history, nature and place. The 2008 fellow is Grace Pundyk from Tasmania
The Fellowship, valued in excess of $5000, is offered biennially to an emerging writer from Australia and New Zealand whose work embraces nature, natural history or sense of place.
To be eligible you must have done one of the following: Published a novel length work of fiction or collection of short fiction, memoir or biography or other work of non-fiction; Published a significant extract of a novel-length work or work-in-progress; Published at least 3 short stories of the requisite nature in major newspapers or literary journals; Published 3 articles of at least 1000 words each in major newspapers or literary journals or collections of essays; Published an individual poetry collection or at least ten poems in major newspapers or literary journals or anthologies; Had 2 long pieces (20 minutes) or 4 short pieces (5 minutes) broadcast by a recognised radio station; Had a play workshopped or performed by a recognised theatre company.
The Watermark Literary Society web site is www.watermarkliterarysociety.asn.au. For more information email Elaine van Kempen, fellowship@watermarkliterarysociety.asn.au, or write to Watermark Literary Society, PO Box 284, Laurieton, NSW, Australia 2443. www.watermarkliterarysociety.asn.au.

AUSWRITE Contest
This competition has closed for 2008.
AUSWRITE is back again. First prize $300, Second $150, Third $100, Five consolation prizes of $20. Total $650 in prizes. Prizes and entry fees are in Australian dollars. Note for New Zealand entrants: fees can be paid in New Zealand dollars. Prizes to New Zealand entrants will be paid in NZ dollars, unless the entry fee has been paid in Australian dollars.
There will be comments from the judge available if you send stamped SAE with your entry.Results available in May. For an entry form and further information, email: shirdav@ihug.co.nz.

Leaf Books Short Story Competition
Leaf Books run a winter short story competition for stories between 3000-5000 words. First prize £200 and publication as a Leaf Book. Runners up win £50 and publication as a Leaf Book. Please note that all work sent to Leaf has a chance of publication. Entry fee £5. Cheques made payable to 'Leaf'. Please include a cover letter with all your details or fill out an entry form from Leafs website: www.leafbooks.co.uk Send entries to Leaf Books Ltd, GTi Suite, Navigation Park, Abercynon, RCT, CF45 4SN. Applications have closed for 2008.

CBA Commonwealth Short Story Competition
The 2008-9 Commonwealth Short Story Competition is now closed. The winners will be announced in November, 2008.
CBA Commonwealth Short Story Competition has a first prize of £2,000. There is no entry fee or form. Only the winners will be notified and entries will not be acknowledged or returned. All Commonwealth citizens are eligible to participate in the Competition, and entries must clearly state the country of citizenship and residence. There is no age limit and entries can be from either amateurs or professionals. All entries must be in English and the stories must be original and should not have been previously published anywhere. The stories may have any theme or subject, but should not exceed 600 words (which should be 4'30" when read aloud). Maximum 3 entries per person. For more information visit www.cba.org.uk

Atlanta Review International Poetry Competition 2008
Entries have closed for 2008. Grand Prize $2,008. Plus 20 International Publication Awards. Winners will be published in Atlanta Review and appear in over 120 countries. 30 International Merit Awards - Includes Certificate, Honourable Mention in Atlanta Review, and a Free Issue.
Guidelines:
• Entry fee: $5 for the first poem, $3 for each additional poem.
• Poems must not have been published in a nationally-distributed print publication.
• No entry form required. Put your name and address on each page (email and phone optional)
• Outside U.S., please include a self-addressed envelope for notification of the results. (No IRC required.)
No entries will be returned. Make cheques payable to Atlanta Review. Cheques in your national currency are acceptable at the current exchange rate. Winners will be announced in August. The Poetry 2008 contest issue will be published in October. Please send your entries to: POETRY 2008, PO Box 8248, Atlanta GA 31106, USA.

The Margaret Reid Poetry Prize for Traditional Verse
Rules and prize money are the same as for the Tom Howard Poetry Contest (see below) with one exception: Entries are limited to "traditional" verse forms, but these include a wide variety of forms and genres including free verse. Many people regard free verse as "modern" but it has in fact been around in English since at least 1770. Haiku is also acceptable, even though this form has only been introduced into English literature in the last fifty years or so. There are in fact very few forms of poetry that we will not accept for this Prize. Entries close June 30 2008. Full details can be obtained at http://poetrycontests.exactpages.com

International Letter Writing Competition
International Pen Friends (IPF) have opened their 2007 letter writing competition which is based on the theme: Greetings from 2007!... A letter that will be discovered 40 years later.
The competition closes on 31 August 2007, and has four different age categories: 8-14 years, 15-20 years, 21-60 years, and 60+ years. There is also a separate category for students who belong to IPF through their school. Prizes range from US$25 - US$100 in each category.
Entry is free to existing IPF members, and anyone who joins before 31 August 2007.
As part of its 40th year celebrations, IPF is offering free membership to New Zealanders who join online between 1 March and 30 April. Application forms are available at www.ipf.net.au
More information about the competition is also on the website, or write to International Pen Friends, PO Box 156, Suffolk Park, NSW 2481, Australia, or email admin@ipf.net.au

Tom Howard Poetry Contest
Closed for 2006
Please visit http://tomhowardpoetry.bravepages.com for full details.

The Coves inaugural historical writing competition.
Closed for 2006.
Presented by the NSW Writers¹ Centre (based at Iron Cove) and the Lane Cove Historical Society, the competition will award a prize for a piece of historical fiction of 2,500 words and a prize for a historical non-fiction work of 2,500 words. Entries in both categories should address some aspect of Australian history past, present or future.
The Coves Historical Writing Competition, NSW Writers’ Centre, PO Box 1056, Rozelle, NSW 2039. Deadline: 5pm, Friday 1 September 2006. Winners will be announced Saturday 23 September 2006 at the NSW Writers’ Centre¹s Writing History Festival. Email nswwc@nswriterscentre.org.au

Yellow Moon Competitions
For poetry buffs interested in haiku, free and traditional verse, elegy and even sonnets, take a look at the competitions run by the Australian magazine Yellow Moon. Full details of upcoming competitions can be found on: www.yellowmoon.info