Tim Winton Award for Young Writers

The City of Subiaco proudly presents the 25th annual Tim Winton Award for Young Writers. This creative writing award is open to Western Australian school students and encourages imagination, innovation and creativity.  

Sign up here to receive emails containing award information and reminders. Download the 2017 award poster. 

Enter online

Entries in the award are now open. To enter, register your details via the links below, and submit your story online, or to Subiaco Library. Physical submissions must be accompanied by a printed confirmation email. Entries close at 4pm on Monday 26 June. See entry information below. 

• Individual entry registration 
• ​​Teacher entry registration 

Award information 

Important dates

Terms and conditions of entry

Entry requirements
The Tim Winton Award is open to Western Australian school students in years one to twelve. Stories submitted must be an original piece of prose writing, no more than 2000 words in length. Entries must be the sole work of the entrant.

Entries may be accepted from individuals or from teachers on behalf of their students. Entry is limited to one per person.

How to enter
The online entry form will be available from 9am on Tuesday 6 June. All entries must be registered online and stories submitted either online, or to Subiaco Library. Entries close at 4pm on Monday 26 June. 

To submit your story electronically, upload your entry at the time of registration. Accepted formats include Microsoft Word (.doc) PDF (.pdf) and some image files (.jpeg .png).

To submit a physical copy of your story, print and attach your registration confirmation (emailed to you after registration), and submit with your story to Subiaco Library or via post to:
 
Tim Winton Award
City of Subiaco
Po Box 270
SUBIACO WA 6904

All submissions must be received by 4pm on Monday 26 June. Late entries cannot be accepted.
 
Please note: due to the high number of entries received for this award each year, stories cannot be returned. Please ensure you keep a copy of your entry.

Judging
The award is judged by a panel of local authors, educators and librarians. Entries are judged individually in the following school year categories:

Lower primary – school years one and two 
Middle primary – school years three and four 
Upper primary – school years five and six 
Lower secondary – school years seven, eight and nine
Upper secondary – school years ten, eleven and twelve

This is a creative writing competition and entries are judged on the originality of the themes, the development of the story and the quality (not quantity) of the writing. 
 
Please note: due to the high number of entries received for this award each year, individual feedback cannot be provided. 

Public use of entries
By entering this award you acknowledge that your entry may be used in City of Subiaco publications and for future promotion of the award. Entries may also be displayed at Subiaco Library and other venues around the city and published on the city’s website. The title of the entry and author’s name will always be acknowledged with the entry when it is used. 

Prizes
Prizes are donated from the City of Subiaco and award sponsors and are presented to the top three entries in each category. The Tim Winton Award for Outstanding Achievement will be awarded to the best overall story across all categories. Winning stories will be on display for one month at Subiaco Library and published online.

The city would like to acknowledge the generous support of award patron Tim Winton and our valued sponsors Janet Holmes à Court AC, Kool Kreative, New Edition Bookshop, and The Lane Bookshop.

Frequently asked questions
For further award information, download the frequently asked questions (PDF 539KB) document.

Read the 2016 winning stories
Lower primary category
Middle primary category
Upper primary category
Lower secondary category
Upper secondary category