The Young Writers’ Award 2026 is open for entries.
Submission Guidelines
- Young people aged 11 to 18 years old
- One poem or short story not exceeding 750 words
Judges: Erin Gough, Jaclyn Moriarty, Jeremy Lachlan, Sue Whiting, and Will Kostakis
Entry fee: Free to enter
Prizes: $3,500 cash pool, an exclusive Publisher Experience with Penguin Random House Australia and personalised editorial feedback, and loot bags with vouchers, snacks and bookish prizes.
Deadline: 11.59 pm on Saturday, 28 February 2026
Please note: This is an external competition; all details and all submissions are on their website. Click here.