Moorabool Young Writers’ Awards

Moorabool Shire Libraries and local writers Jem Tyley-Miller and Wayne Marshall are proud to announce the fourth annual Moorabool Young Writers’ Awards.  These awards aim to promote a love of writing in the shire, and will recognise the finest young writers in the district. The competition will be open from March 15^th to April 23^rd 2021, with winners announced on June 12^th at an afternoon tea held in conjunction with the Peter Carey Short Story Award. (Covid dependent)

Stories will be judged in three categories and are open to all those who meet the age requirements, AND who work, live, or study in Moorabool Shire. Both a winner and a runner-up will be awarded for each category.

Categories:

Junior Awards (Grade 3 and under)  

Short Stories up to 1000 words 

Winner: $100             Runner-up: $50 Book Voucher

Intermediate Awards (years 4-6)     

Short Stories up to 1000 words

Winner: $100             Runner-up: $50 Book Voucher

Youth Awards (under 18 or any high school student) 

Short Stories up to 3000 words 

Winner: $150             Runner-up: $75 Book Voucher

Entries will be judged by Bacchus Marsh’s own Allyse Near, author of Fairytales for Wilde Girls. Allyse’s debut novel won Best Horror and Best Young Adult Novel at the Aurealis Awards, and Honour Book of the Year at the CBCA Awards. She was also shortlisted for the Norma K Hemming and Inky Awards.

All winning stories will be displayed in the Lerderderg Library in Bacchus Marsh. Submissions close Friday 23^rd April 2021 and will be accepted in person at Ballan Library, Lerderderg Library, the Rural Library Van or the online entry link that will be available on this page. Entries must be typed and will be judged blind, so please, no names on your work—just be sure to complete the paper entry form or online entry form.  Each child may enter one story and entry is free.

Please see Terms & Conditions for further details or address queries to yourlibrary@moorabool.vic.gov.au .

Good luck. Get writing and we can’t wait to read your stories.

—Jem Tyley-Miller and Wayne Marshall in partnership with Moorabool Shire Libraries

Entry Form (pdf)       Entry Form (word doc)

Moorabool Young Writers’ Awards 2021 Terms and Conditions

1. Junior applicants must be in grade three or under and enter a story of no more than 1000 words.
2. Intermediate applicants must be in grade four, five or six, and enter a story of no more than 1000 words.
3. Youth applicants must be between thirteen to seventeen years of age, or attend high school, and enter a story of no more than 3000 words.
4. Please type your entry.
5. Entries must be submitted in person at Ballan Library, Lerderderg Library, the Rural Library Van or online via the Moorabool Shire Council website by 11.59PM on April 23^rd 2021.
6. Applications will be judged anonymously. Please do not include your name on your story. It should be on the cover page only.
7. Parents or guardians must consent to their child entering the competition.
8. Entries will be independently judged. The judge’s decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. The judge reserves the right to allocate additional prizes.
9. Prizes are as follows: Junior and Intermediate winner $100, runner-up $50 book voucher; Youth winner $150, runner-up $75 book voucher.
10. Winning stories will be displayed in the library.
11. Entry is free.
12. Each child may enter one story only.
13. Moorabool Shire Libraries are unable to accept entries or notify entrants that do not follow entry guidelines.