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Resources for new & emerging writers

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16 August 2022

So you’ve completed one of State Library Victoria’s Teen Writing Bootcamps. What’s next for you and your writing?

We’ve pulled together some opportunities for further learning, places and platforms to publish your work, writing prizes and fellowships, and other avenues to explore as you take your next steps as a writer. Go for it! 

Magazines & online writing platforms

Lip magazine

Lip is an independent magazine for young women. It aims to provide a wide range of views and opinions and provoke thought about feminism, films, food, the future and the present. Lip is always looking for new contributors. 

Rosie

Rosie is a national harm-prevention initiative by the Dugdale Trust for Women & Girls. Its website publishes non-fiction articles written by young people on topics including activism, feminism, women’s rights, body and mind, relationships, and work and study. Rosie is always looking for contributors.

Scum magazine

Scum is an online literary magazine that publishes fiction, poetry and non-fiction by young people.

Voiceworks

Published by Express Media, Voiceworks is a national literary journal that features writing and art by Australians less than 25 years old. Voiceworks publishes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art and comics, and writers are paid for their work. 

Writing prizes & fellowships

The Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers

Open to secondary school-aged students in Australia, the Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers recognises excellence in the categories of fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry. The winner in each category receives $500 cash, as well as publication on the Express Media website and an acknowledgement in Voiceworks, Australia’s premier youth literary journal. 

Little Stories, Big Ideas

Little Stories, Big Ideas is a flash fiction literary competition for Australian secondary school students (12 to 18 years old) with great prizes on offer. The competition runs four times a year, with a different theme each quarter for writers to respond to in any literary style they choose. 

Local council opportunities

Some local councils offer competitions, awards, prizes and opportunities for young writers. Many of the larger councils offer cash prizes in their writing competitions. Check out your local council’s website to find out what opportunities they offer for young writers.

The Steph Bowe Mentorship for Young Writers

Open to writers under the age of 25, the Steph Bowe Mentorship for Young Writers is an initiative offered to a new writer in Australian children’s literature. The winner receives a 20-hour mentorship with an author, and 12-month memberships with Express Media and their state writers centre. 

Youth writing organisations & festivals

Express Media

Express Media is a national organisation providing support and development opportunities for young Australian writers. They offer workshops and awards, as well as programs for young writers including toolkits, a 12-week online program for writers 30 and under that includes one-on-one mentoring from an established writer and networking opportunities with other young writers.

National Young Writers Festival

The National Young Writers’ Festival is an annual gathering for young writers to show work, share ideas and learn. The program is free and mostly aimed at 18 to 25 year olds, but they also offer a Younger Young Writers’ Program for 13 to 17 year olds. The 2021 festival will be a hybrid program, with some in-person events in Newcastle and some online events.

100 Story Building

100 Story Building is a social enterprise that aims to develop creativity and literacy for young people through workshop programs, online learning and community engagement. They offer student-led programs, and online and holiday workshops. 

State writing centres

Each state in Australia has a writing centre, and some of these have programs targeted at young writers. This can be a great opportunity to meet other writers in your community.

The Wheeler Centre

The Wheeler Centre is Melbourne’s home for smart, passionate and entertaining public talks. Their aim is to drive the development and celebration of literature in Melbourne and beyond, and to engage people with books, writing and ideas. They host interesting events on diverse topics with local and international writers and thinkers. 

Slam poetry performances

When you’re ready to give slam poetry performing a go, here are some places to explore: