Calling all writers and artists!
Here is a list of competitions for writing and illustrating/art open to children aged 12 and under. The list will be updated as often as we can. (Note: most of these competitions will be open to Australian residents only.)
Some tips when it comes to entering competitions:
- Writing comps are a good way to hone your writing skills and to work to a deadline.
- If you don’t win, it doesn’t mean your work is bad—don’t lose heart, just keep at it!
- Many writing/art competitions have free entry for kids. If there IS an entry fee, check with your parent/guardian about whether it’s a reputable competition. (Some competitions ask you to pay large amounts of money to enter, or say it is free to enter but then want you to buy a book with all the ‘winners’ writing published. It’s usually a good idea to avoid those sorts of competitions.)
- Read all the entry conditions. And read them again! You don’t want to be disqualified for going over the word limit or missing the closing date.
- We list competitions here but we are not usually affiliated with those competitions and do not necessarily endorse them. You will need to check with a parent/guardian before entering.
The Golden Pen Storytelling Competition (Entries close 3 March 2026)
Open to school students in Western Australia. The Golden Pen Storytelling Competition is back, inviting young storytellers to embrace transformation with this year’s theme: Metamorphosis.
Unleash your creativity and explore the magic of change. Whether it’s a creature mutating, a character finding their true self, or a world evolving in unexpected ways.
Keep an eye on the competition’s website for more details
Trailblazers Art Competition (Entries close 4.30pm, 31 October 2025)
Open to Australian students. To celebrate 40 years since women were given the opportunity to become firefighters in the NSW Fire Brigades (now Fire and Rescue NSW), this year’s theme will focus on the contributions of women in the history of firefighting. Illustrate, using an artistic medium of your choice, images that inspire or represent the history of women firefighters in Fire and Rescue NSW. Entries are made online only, and if you are shortlisted, then the competition organisers will contact you to arrange delivery of the artwork.
ENTRY: FREE
PRIZES: Shortlisted entries will be chosen and exhibited in the Museum of Fire NSW, with prizes awarded. (Prizes not specified on competition’s website.)
Check out the competition guidelines.
Katrina Nannestad’s Frances Bloom competition (Entries close 9am EDT, 3 November 2025)
Open to all ages, Australia only.
Read the first page of Frances Bloom ( Chapter 1: Introducing Frances Bloom) then imagine you’ve sent your parents away in a very large box to the South Sandwich Islands. List 5 things you’d do with your newfound freedom. You can illustrate or decorate your list too, if you like. You may enter the competition in two ways:
- By email. Take a photo of your list and ask your grown-up to email it to katenannestad[at]hotmail.com. Write FRANCES BLOOM LIST in the subject line. Include your name, age and postal address in the email.
- By post. Post your list to Katrina Nannestad, PO Box 7025, Spring Gully, VIC, 3550. Make sure your name, age and postal address are included with your list.
ENTRY: FREE
PRIZE: There are five signed copies of Frances Bloom as prizes, and five winners (one book per winner)
If you have questions about this competition, please email the author directly
alphabetsoup.net.au 