Entries open Monday 10 March 2025 and close Friday 18 July 2025
The competition will be open to students from 8 to 18 years old who live in Cumberland, attend a school in Cumberland, or who are members of the Library Service. The competition provides opportunities for young writers and illustrators to showcase their talents.
Entries information
The competition will be judged and awarded in the following age group categories:
- 8 to 11 years old
- 12 to 14 years old
- 15 to 18 years old
Works could be:
- Short stories (maximum 500 words)
- Poetry (maximum 30 lines)
- Graphic short story (maximum 10 pages)
All entries will complete a work using the images provided for the age groups. There will be one (1) image provided for each age group to provide inspiration for the works.
Entries are judged on originality, creativity, construction, and use of language. An independent panel will be assembled that will judge the works. Four finalists are chosen in each age group.
Awards
Awards will be presented to one (1) winner, one (1) runner-up and two (2) highly commended in each age group and type of work.
Finalists from each category will have their works published in a book and added to the library collection.
Full names of finalists will be published and may be made available online and online and to the public.
All participants will be given a participation award for recognition of the work.
How to enter
Please read the Conditions of Entry Form before submitting your entry.
Submit the Young Writers Entry Form with your story, poem or graphic short story.
Entries close Friday 18 July 2025
Writing workshops
Cumberland City Council Libraries will be working with award winning author Christopher Cheng to run workshops for students who are interested in learning to write.
The workshops will be held at Auburn and Merrylands libraries and bookings are essential.
Bookings
Follow the links below to book into a workshop filtered by competition age group category.
Workshop for 8 to 11 years on Tuesday 8 July 2025 - Book for 8 to 11 years
Workshop for 12 to 14 years on Tuesday 8 July 2025 - Book for 12 to 14 years
Workshop for 15 to 18 years Thursday 10 July 2025 - Book for 15 to 18 years
8 to 11 years age group
12 to 14 years age group
15 to 18 years age group
