Writing Competitions

Unleash your creativity and be part of the festival storytelling tradition. Whether you have an epic tale to share or can capture a feeling in just a few words, there is a category for every writer.

50 Word Story Competition

Can you write a wise, witty and wondrous story using exactly 50 words? Why not do so while enjoying a coffee? The winner will receive a RedBeard Historic Bakery voucher.

Entry forms are available at RedBeard and by emailing Trentham Neighbourhood Centre at info@trenthamnc.org.au. They can be submitted via the same email address or by giving a hard copy to RedBeard.

Entries close: TBC.

Six Word Story Competition

In popular folklore, the 'six word story' writing challenge came into existence when Ernest Hemingway met a group of fellow writers for lunch in New York in the 1920s. He made a $10 bet with them that he could compose a story with just six words. The challenge was accepted and on a serviette he wrote these famous words: 'For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.' He collected his winnings without argument.

The Trentham Trumpet is offering a $100 prize for the best six words story. Submit your entries to thetrenthamtrumpet@gmail.com. The winner will be announced in the September edition of the Trumpet.

Entries close: TBC.

Bush Poetry Competition

Celebrate a great Australian tradition by entering our Bush Poetry Competition. Writers and performers are invited to take part in one of two ways:

Original Poem: Submit your own original, unpublished work that honours the classic conventions of rhythm, rhyme, cadence, and syntax.
Performance: Take to the stage and deliver the most theatrical, engaging performance of your favourite classic bush poem.

A total prize pool of $500 in cash prizes will be awarded across the original poem and performance sections. If you prefer to listen rather than compete, innocent bystanders are always welcome to join the audience.

Submit your entries as a Word document to michael.johnson@ozemail.com.au. Please ensure you include a cover sheet with your full contact details.

Entries close on 4 August 2026.

Contemporary Poetry Competition

Write and present your modern poem in an intimate atmosphere in this year's poetry competition. Entry conditions are one original entry per poet of a hitherto unpublished work. This years' theme is 'Anticipation'. Please submit your entry with a cover sheet including your details to trenthamwiw@gmail.com. $500 of cash prizes to be awarded.
For enquiries, please email trenthamwiw@gmail.com.

Entries close: TBC.

Short Story Competition

Submit your short story (maximum of 500 words) to Trentham Neighbourhood Centre (info@trenthamnc.org.au), then come along for Short Stories Readings at the Cosmo. $500 of cash prizes to be awarded. This years' theme is 'Anticipation'.

Please include a cover sheet with your details with your entry. For enquiries, please email trenthamwiw@gmail.com.

Entries close: TBC.