Competitions

Every month there are writing competitions opening and closing. Trying to keep up-to-date can be difficult. A few tools to help find the right competition for you to enter are:

• the VWC member magazine, *Victorian Writer*. The Victorian Writer includes at least 2 pages of current writing competition closing dates, with entry guidelines, pricing, word limits and contact details.
• the VWC member e-bulletin. The VWC e-bulletin is sent out to members weekly. This e-bulletin includes competition opening dates, plus a reminder for competitions closing that week. Any competition information that missing the publishing date for the Victorian Writer will be included in the e-bulletin.
• the Australian Writer’s Marketplace 2009-10. This essential writer’s resource includes a list of competitions and major prizes each year.

The VWC allows members to request competition entry forms by sending a self addressed envelope to the VWC. The VWC has many entry forms at its office, these are indicated with an envelope symbol in the Victorian Writer magazine. Members can also come in to the VWC office to collect the entry forms.

The Australian Society of Authors publishes guidelines for competitions. Many writing competitions may not meet these guidelines. Read the guidelines

Entering writing competitions can help to improve your profile with a potential publisher, and can garner some interest in your manuscript.

Several major prizes are available for an unpublished manuscript including the Premier’s Literary Awards Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript by an Emerging Victorian Writer.

For a history of shortlisted manuscripts for Premier’s Literary Awards Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript by an Emerging Victorian Writer since 2003 click here.

Good Reading

• Victorian Writer see pp. 18-19.
• VWC e-bulletin, sent out weekly.
• Australian Writer’s Marketplace 2009-10