CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

• Original picture book manuscripts only. Must not have been accepted for publication or won a prize in any other competition at the time of competition closure.

• No AI-generated submissions accepted.

• The entry may be entered in more than one competition, however, it must be withdrawn if the writer is advised the entry has been successful or won a prize elsewhere.

• 500 word limit, excluding the identified entry title, word count and page numbers.

• No illustrations to be included. Any illustration notes (where included) will count towards the word count.

• Open theme.

• Multiple entries are acceptable, however must be submitted separately.

• Entry fee of $30 per entry.

• Manuscripts are to be submitted (including payment of entry fees) via the Sutherland Shire FAW website. Manuscripts submitted through other means (e.g. via email) will not be accepted.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• Entries must be in English and typed, double spaced, 12 point, and Times New Roman font.

• The header of each page must contain the title, word count and page number.

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or PDF (.pdf) documents only.

• Document name to be the same as the entry title (e.g. 'YourTitle.doc').

• Entries must be submitted via the Sutherland Shire FAW website including details of the manuscript title, word count, author’s name, address, phone number, email and whether you are an emerging writer.

• Entrant's name should NOT appear anywhere in the manuscript or document title.

Judging and Notification

• Shortlisted Entrants will be notified by email on 7 August 2026.

• Shortlist will be published on the Writers Unleashed Social Pages, Sutherland Shire FAW Website, Pass It On and Buzz Words from 7 August 2026.

• Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at the Writers Unleashed Festival on 19 September 2026.

• First, second and third placed entries will receive cash prizes of $500, $300 and $200 respectively.

• For the purposes of this competition, an emerging writer is defined as a writer who has not had any picture books published by a traditional publisher. Writers who have had their picture book manuscript self-published, or published in an anthology, or published via hybrid publishing can enter as an emerging writer. Writers who are traditionally published in a separate genre (e.g. other Kid or Adult Lit that is not a picture book) are still able to enter under this category.

• Prize winners unable to attend the Festival, will receive their cash prizes electronically.

• Members of the Fellowship of Australian Writers (Sutherland) executive, the Writers Unleashed Festival committee, the Picture Book Competition judges, or their immediate family members are not eligible to enter.

• All entries will be judged blind. The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. No feedback will be provided on individual entries.
  

  Need Help?

• Please contact us with any questions at writersunleashedfestival@gmail.com