Entries open for the 2020 Mayoral Creative Writing Prize

Published on 12 August 2020

Do you have a way with words? A flair for fiction? An inner Shakespeare just bursting to be let out?

Entries are now open for the Blacktown City Council 2020 Mayoral Creative Writing Prize.

The annual competition is open to adults and children aged between 8 and 17 years who live in Blacktown City.

The Mayoral Creative Writing Prize is run in partnership with WestWords, an organisation which celebrates and champions the stories of Western Sydney.

The theme for 2020 is The Whole World at Home. Submissions can be either a poem or short story and must be works of fiction.

In announcing the entries open, Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot about the way people live, work, and connect with each other.”

“However, we are still a resilient and diverse community with stories to share.

“Our homes have become an even more important part of our lives, as they have for other people around the world – friends, family, and strangers – who share this experience with us.

“The Mayoral Creative Writing Prize is a wonderful opportunity to create something positive out of what has been a difficult time for many people,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

Works will be judged by an independent panel who will evaluate each entry on originality, construction, the use of language, and the way characters, atmosphere, and setting have been developed in a creative way.

The total prize pool is $1,600 with adult winners to receive $200. Winners aged 17 or younger will receive $100, and if their school is located in Blacktown City it will also receive $100 as an incentive to encourage budding authors in the local area.

Entries close at midnight on Sunday 27 September 2020.

Shortlisted entrants and their families will be invited to a presentation ceremony where the winners will be announced and prizes awarded.

Submissions can be made with a completed entry form online at:

westwords.com.au. or by contacting [email protected].

Entries must be the original work of the entrant.

Prizes:

Ages 8-11                    Poem or short story                $100 for student                      $100 for school

Ages 12-14                  Poem or short story                $100 for student                      $100 for school

Ages 15-17                  Poem or short story                $100 for student                      $100 for school

Age 18+                      Poem or short story                $200