The John Marsden/Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers

Young writers under the age of 25 are encouraged to enter the competition to share in $5,500 in prize money and have the opportunity to be published online and in the December issue of Voiceworks magazine, #99 “Plastic”.

The prize is judged by John Marsden himself, and Hachette Australia, who donate the prize money.

There are two categories open to young writers across two age ranges:

• Short fiction or first chapter of a novel (up to 3,000 words) by writers aged 18-24
• Poetry by writers aged 18-24

• Short fiction or first chapter of a novel (up to 3,000 words) by writers aged  under 18
• Poetry by writers aged under 18

First place winners of both the Poetry and the Short Story Prize (under 18) receive $500 each. The first place winner of the Short Story prize (18 – 24) wins $3,000 and the first place winner of the poetry prize (18 – 24) wins $1500. First place winners are also published in the December issue of Voiceworks while second and third place winners, as well as those with honourable mentions, are published on the Express Media website.

Winners of each category will be announced by John Marsden as part of the 2014 Express Media Awards on Thursday December 4 from 6.00pm at the Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale St Melbourne.

*PLEASE NOTE, THE PRIZE IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2014*

Entry Details
To enter, click on the relevant link below:

• Entry form only: writers aged 18-24 ($10)
• Entry form with DISCOUNTED Voiceworks Subscription: writers aged 18-24 ($30)

• Entry form: writers aged under 18 (free)
• Entry form with DISCOUNTED Voiceworks Subscription: writers aged under 18 ($30)

Entries close 9am Monday August 11.

For more information on the John Marsden Prize, please email awards@expressmedia.org.au

Terms and Conditions
1. One entry may be submitted per writer, per category. Each entry must be submitted via the website individually, with one entry per submission form. DO NOT put multiple submissions in one word or .pdf document.
2. Entries of over 3,000 words are ineligible.
3. All entries must be neatly typed or printed, double-spaced, one side per page.
4. Please do not include your name anywhere on your submission; it should appear only on this form
5. All entries must be received by 10am Monday 11 August 2014.
6. The judge’s decision is final; no correspondence will be entered into.
7. Entries must not have been previously published.
8. All members currently serving on the Express Media Management Committee; and/or all paid, permanent staff of Express Media, whether full-time or part-time, are ineligible to enter.
9. First place winners of both the Poetry and the Short Story Prize (under 18) receive $500 each. The first place winner of the Short Story prize (18 – 24) wins $3,000 and the first place winner of the poetry prize (18 – 24) wins $1500. First place winners are also published in the December issue of Voiceworks while second and third place winners, as well as those with honourable mentions, are published on the Express Media website.