The KSP Writers' Centre is proud to present this annual poetry competition for Australian writers, which is FREE for youth to enter thanks to sponsorship from the Shire of Mundaring. Entries must be original and unpublished. All poetry styles and themes are acceptable.

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All entrants will be asked to complete an AI declaration.

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Results will be announced at an awards ceremony in December and published on social media and the KSP website thereafter. Shortlisted entrants will be contacted prior to the awards ceremony with an invitation to attend and read an extract of their entry. 

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You will need a Submittable account to enter this competition. Don't worry! It is free and easy to set up.

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Deadline

NOW CLOSED

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Eligibility

You must be an Australian resident to enter the youth and open categories of this competition.

You must be a Western Australian resident to enter the Annette Cameron Award category.

Entries must be unpublished, original, and not under consideration elsewhere.

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Entry Formatting Rules

Please note there are rules on how to format your entry. You will find this in Submittable when you commence an entry submission for this competition.

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Categories

Youth KSP Poetry Awards (10 to 17 years)

Open KSP Poetry Awards (18 years plus)

*Annette Cameron Encouragement Award

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The Annette Cameron Encouragement Award is for current West Australian residents over the age of 18 who have never published a full collection of poetry either in print or online, and have not won this award previously. Definition of 'unpublished': The entrant has never published a full collection of poetry either in print or online. NB: Any poem submitted to the Annette Cameron Award cannot also be entered into the KSP Poetry Awards.

 

This award was founded by longtime KSP-member and talented WA poet, Flora Smith, in memory of her cousin Annette Cameron who was a life-long friend of Katharine Susannah Prichard. It is with great sadness to all those who loved and knew her that Flora passed away in 2023. We acknowledge Flora’s family who have generously decided to continue sponsorship of this award.

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Costs

YOUTH: Free, limit of one poem per entrant

ADULT: $10 per poem, no limit on entries

ANNETTE CAMERON: $10, limit of one poem per entrant

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Line Counts

YOUTH: Max 50

ADULT: Max 50

ANNETTE CAMERON: Max 50

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How to Enter

Set up a Submittable account

Click below on the 'Submit' button, and select the relevant KSP competition you wish to enter

Prepare your entry/ies according to the guidelines (refer to Submittable entry form)

Complete Submittable entry form and submit before the deadline.

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Can I change my entry after submitting?

You can request to edit your submission up to one week prior to the deadline; just send KSP a message via your Submittable account. 

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Prizes

*subject to discretion of judge*

First place $300 prize for open plus weekend residency at the KSP Writers' Centre (non-transferable, $300 value) and $100 first place prize for youth

Annette Cameron Award for an Unpublished WA Poet: $150

Second place certificates with $150 prize for open and $50 for youth

Up to five commended certificates for both open and youth

Mundaring National Young Writers encouragement award for under 14s with $25 prize

Select entrants invited to read their story at KSP’s End of Year Awards Ceremony in December

 

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Queries

Office hours are 10am-2pm, Monday-Friday. office@kspwriterscentre.com / 08 9294 1872

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