The notJack Writers’ Prize

The notJack Writers’ Prize recognizes the significance of place for Australian writers and encourages submissions from people in any area.

The prize welcomes submissions from all genres – including prose, essay, flash fiction, short story, poetry, biography, memoir, plays, screenplay – in which place, and writing from place, figures prominently. Submissions are not limited by the specific examples provided here.

Entries may be up to 3000 words or 40 lines of poetry.   Check the notJack Writers’ Prize website for the entry form, guidelines, prizes and other details.

The youth category is open now and closes 14 March 2016.

A great competition to enter!

Open to adults, teens and and junior writers currently living in Australia, the Bayside Writing  Competition 2015 is an opportunity to submit an original piece of writing in any one of four categories:

Open Competition – Short story
Open Competition – Poetry
13-17 years Micro Story (250 words or less)
12 and under – Short Story (500 words)

With prize money to win, this is an exciting opportunity for keen writers to submit their work.  Complete the online entry form and submit writing by April 24th.

You gotta be in it to win it!

Unweathered Words

Dear: Valued Patrons, VIPs and Friends

of Mentone Public Library,

We are very proud to present our Spring Season of;

Unweathered Words: 

A Community Writing Group Showcase.

This Coming Season Mentone Public Library Brings you;

Spring Into Wordplay with 

The Mordialloc Writers Group

+ 

Featured Local Author  Shirley Randles 

and Local Illustrator-Writer Lois Jessop

Launching:

“Recipes for a Poem”

· 11am-12.15pm: The Mordialloc Writers Group will be sharing excerpts from

their published anthologies and new works.

· 12.30-1.30pm: Author Shirley Randles and Illustrator-Writer Lois Jessop

will be dishing up literary soul food and irresistible illustrations to match as their collaborative book makes its debut in the City of Kingston.

Time and Date:

11am – 12.15pm: Mordialloc Writers Group

12.30-1.30pm: “Recipes for a Poem” Book Launch

 Saturday 7th September 2013

RSVP Date: Thursday, 5th September 2013

 Venue: Mentone Public Library

Address: Rear of the CAB Building

Opposite Australia Post,

36 Florence Street,

Mentone. VIC 3194

MEL REF: 86 K6

Rapid Change by Oscar O’Neill Pugh

Oscar O’Neill Pugh, one of our Mentone Grammar Reading Ambassadors (MGRAs) had the honour of reading his original poem “Rapid Change” at the recent Bayside Poetry Group Showcase which was held on May 4th at Mentone Public Library.

Oscar has given us permission to publish his poem here:

Rapid Change by Oscar O’Neill Pugh

It was without a doubt
That I would be forgotten, left behind
Although I did not really pout
As I really didn’t mind

It was clear that I didn’t belong
Despite having no friends, I still came along
Surrounded by sports fans and athletes
Was the weird kid, his sports a little offbeat

He wasn’t built with muscle or strong like a tank
He was pretty damn lanky to be perfectly frank
Although on this rigorous trip
He had uttered no strife
As it was the adventure that made his heart skip
and filled him with life

Although as he perched there, alone
On a green grassy hill top
Watching the fast flowing rapids
That only time could ever stop
He was filled with happiness that had no loose ends
Because despite being different, I had managed to make friends

Congratulations Oscar!

Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards 2013

If you’re not into writing stories, you may want to try writing some poetry!

Wherever the Wind Blows is the theme for this year’s annual Dorothea McKellar Poetry Awards.  Australia’s oldest and best known poetry writing competition for school students is now opened.   Get entries in by June 30th to be in the running for some great prizes.

Details can be checked out online.