We are so excited to announce the inaugural Speculate Prize for Emerging Writers, in partnership with RMIT University. The Speculate Prize for Emerging Writers is a brand-new literary prize open to Australian emerging writers studying at TAFE or university who are keen to share short work that speaks to the otherness, complexity and expansiveness of ‘speculation’ through literature in either content, genre or form.

We want entries that are curious, bold, non-realist (in elements or in their entirety). We are excited by entries that embrace new literary modes and extend the possibilities of short form writing. We want the piece that only you could have written.

The winner of the Speculate Prize for Emerging Writers will receive $1,500 prize money inclusive of $250 stipend towards a week-long writing residency at the RMIT McCraith House on the Mornington Peninsula, a free full pass to the 2025 National Writers’ Conference run by Emerging Writers’ Festival, as well as a free Festival Pass for all performance events at the 2025 Emerging Writers’ Festival. The winning piece will also receive digital publication with Emerging Writers’ Festival.

In addition to a winner, one highly commended entry will win $250 prize money, as well as a free full pass to the 2025 National Writers’ Conference, and one free Festival Pass for all performance events at the 2025 Emerging Writers’ Festival.

Click here for more info & submissions

Entries close 15 December 2024, 11:59PM AEDT.

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