Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing
Nillumbik has a strong history in literary arts that is supported today through the Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing. The Prize offers contemporary Australian writers an opportunity to win cash prizes and to profile their work.
The 2024 Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing is presented in partnership with Writers Victoria.
Entries open 1 July and close at 5pm on 2 October 2023.
Entries are accepted in the following categories:
- Short story award – open, local and youth awards
- A changing genre award – open, local and youth awards
Categories
Open
Entry fee $25
Prize $5,000
Short Story (The Alan Marshall Short Story Award)
Up to 2,500 words
Theme: Resistance
Memoir
Up to 2,500 words
Local
Entry fee $10
Prize $2,500
All entries in the Local category are automatically entered into the Open category.
Short Story (The Alan Marshall Short Story Award)
Up to 2,500 words
Theme: Resistance
A $500 prize is also awarded from the shortlisted entries in the local section of the Short Story award.
Memoir
Up to 2,500 words
Youth
Open to writers aged 11 to 21.
Free entry
Prize $1,000
Short Story (The Alan Marshall Short Story Award)
Up to 2,500 words
Theme: Resistance
Memoir
Up to 2,500 words
Conditions of entry
- The Prize is open to all Australian residents.
- All entries are online.
- Open to writers who work, live or study in Nillumbik.
- All local entries are automatically entered into the Open section.
- The prizes are cash plus inclusion in an anthology.
- Entry is free for Concession Card holders and for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.
- Read the full Conditions of Entry(PDF, 273KB) before you apply.
If you need assistance submitting your application or if the entry fee is a barrier for application, please contact Writers Victoria. Contact details are in the Conditions of Entry.
We strongly encourage entries from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, people living with a disability, culturally or linguistically diverse people, and LGBTIQA+ people.
Public program
A public program accompanies the Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing. The NPCW 2024 public program is presented in partnership with Writers Victoria and Yarra Plenty Regional Library. Information is added as it is scheduled.
August and September 2023: Young Writers Workshops(PDF, 297KB)
September 2023: Writing Sprints at Eltham Library(PDF, 263KB)
From July 2023: Online Writing Workouts with Writers Victoria(PDF, 601KB)
Young Writers workshops
In partnership with Yarra Plenty Regional Library and Writers Victoria, we are offering FREE workshops for young writers aged 13 to 19 to join a professional writer for a facilitated writing workshop.
Join our Young Writers workshops
September workshops
The craft of short story writing: an exploration into the genre with Paige Clarke, author, editor and writing teacher. Friday, 15 September, 7pm-8pm. Book
Memoir Workshop with Lee Kofman, acclaimed author, mentor, writing teacher and speaker. Sunday, 24 September, 10 am-1pm. Book
Previous anthologies
2022 Anthology Nillumbik Prize Contemporary Writing(PDF, 690KB)
Nillumbik Prize Contemporary Writing Anthology 2020(PDF, 1MB)
Literary Nillumbik Anthology of Writing 2018(PDF, 1MB)
Literary Nillumbik Anthology of Writing 2017(PDF, 12MB)
Literary Nillumbik Anthology of Writing 2016(PDF, 2MB)
History of the Prize
The Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing (NPCW) was introduced in 2020, evolving from the annual Alan Marshall Short Story Award (AMSSA), established in 1985 and the annual Nillumbik Ekphrasis Poetry Award (2012–2019). The Prize is awarded every two years.
The Alan Marshall Short Story Award (AMSSA) is awarded to the best short story in the Open Short Story category to preserve the legacy of the AMSSA.
The winning entries are published in an anthology and presented at a major public event.