Susie Warrick Young Writers Award

2025 Susie Warrick Young Writers Award winners
Winner: Eve Walshe

Runner up: Hazel Compton-Bowhay

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In memory of Susie Warrick, this award celebrates the art of the short story and supports emerging young writers in furthering their career.

Susie Warrick was a much loved staff member at the Northern Rivers Writers Centre (now Byron Writers Festival). The Susie Warrick Young Writers Award was established to honour her memory, celebrate the art of the short story, and to support emerging young writers in furthering their career.

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The Brief

Write an original short story up to 500 words on any theme.

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Who can enter

Years 7 – 8 students.

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Prizes

Winner will receive

• $500 cash
• 1 x Byron Writers Festival Sunday pass
• Publication in the Byron Writers Festival magazine, northerly
• A runner up will receive 1 x Byron Writers Festival Sunday pass

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Applications have closed.

Winners will be notified on 15 July.

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Presentation of the Susie Warrick Young Writers Award will take place at Byron Writers Festival Secondary Schools Day, Thursday 7 August at Bangalow Showground.

Key Dates

• Submissions open: Thursday 1 May
• Applications close: Monday 30 June
• Winners notified: Tuesday 15 July
• Presentation for Susie Warrick Young Writers Award – Secondary Schools Day, Thursday 7 August

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Submission Guidelines

1. Write and polish an original piece of writing.
2. Include the title in the header of your story and in the file name.
3. Submit your story as a word document or PDF (Arial 12-point font preferred).
4. Submissions are judged anonymously. Your name should not be included anywhere on your story or filename – it should only be entered in this submission form.
5. Entries are limited to one submission per person.

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