Sharpen your pencil, dust off the typewriter or charge up your laptop because, no matter how you like to write, entries to the City of Subiaco’s 2023 Craig Silvey Award for Young Writers are now officially open.
Aspiring young writers are encouraged to start planning – or plotting – their entry with innovation, creativity and originality front of mind.
Entries are open to all Western Australian school students in years one to twelve with multiple age categories as well as a special award for the overall standout story.
The City of Subiaco has been running an annual award for young writers for the past 30 years with 2023 marking the first year of the award’s new patron, Craig Silvey.
Craig Silvey is the author of modern Australian classics including Honeybee and Jasper Jones, as well as his latest release, Runt, which resonates with readers across the generations.
Mayor David McMullen said the approach to the awards has looked a little different this year.
“This year, we’ve really been focussing on supporting and developing the writing process for aspiring writers by holding a number of events in the lead up including writing workshops in Subiaco Library, and Q&A sessions with Craig Silvey both locally and regionally,” he said.
“I think this is really going to turn up the creativity level of the stories that our talented WA students produce.”
Of the award, Craig Silvey said, “I’m excited about the stories that come our way, about diverse voices, and about the new experiences and the wild imaginations of Western Australians everywhere.
“I’d encourage writers to tell a story that feels true, important, meritorious and exciting to you, develop your own voice, and develop your own story. We’re interested in reading something that feels unique, distinct, and above all, something that feels honest and true.”
Entries are open from Monday 17 July to Friday 11 August.
For more information on how to enter, visit the
Craig Silvey Award for Young Writers webpage.
The awards are made possible by the generous contribution from our award sponsors: Kool Kreative, Dymocks Subiaco, Janet Holmes à Court AC, and The Lane Bookshop.