Redgum Book Club has launched the Young Writers Award to help children aged between 9 and 13 years of age, develop their writing skills and find their unique voice through storytelling. Children are great storytellers; they can create both entertaining written and ‘oral’ stories that, with a little assistance, can be turned into fabulous, character-filled books for others to enjoy.

The Young Writers Award recognises and encourages the writing talents of Australian children by providing them with the opportunity to have their stories published and distributed in Australia.

This award is designed to be highly accessible, and may be incorporated as part of a school’s writing program, or nominated for individually. Every child has a story and we’d like to hear it!

The Redgum Young Writers Award aims to inspire children to put their thoughts and ideas to paper and encourages a love of reading and writing.

This award is a great platform to help develop the next generation of great Australian writers!

Redgum Young Writers Award Prize

The winner of each category will receive a $250 Redgum Book Club voucher. The winning story will be proofread and edited as required, illustrated and published for distribution in Australia.

The other four shortlisted entries in each category will each receive a $150 Redgum Book Club voucher and Certificate of Achievement.

Redgum Young Writers Eligibility Requirements

Entries are open to:

The writer must be:

  • Aged between 9 and 13 years of age in the current year and,

  • Enrolled as a primary or secondary school student or home schooled.

The writer must be either:

  • An Australian citizen.

  • If not an Australian citizen, resident in Australia for at least two years prior to the year of publication.

  • Hold permanent residency status for Australia.

The work must:

  • Works entered must have themes and content suitable for a readership of between 3 and 12 years of age.

  • Children can enter more than one story and may enter stories in both categories but a maximum of two entries are allowed in total.

  • All stories must be the work of the child and presented in a finished manner having been proofread.

  • Assistance with seeding of ideas, story structure and final assistance with proofing can be provided by a mentor.

  • The work must not have been previously published.

  • The work must be in English.

Submissions

  • Complete the online entry form.

  • A submission confirmation will be emailed to you.

  • Post two (2) copies of your story to the address below. Ensure your full name is written clearly on each copy.

Send entries to:

Redgum Young Writers Award

PO Box 303

Newport

NSW 2106