Submission Guidelines

To enter you must be an Australian citizen or Australian resident. 

1. The prize is open to writers working across creative nonfiction and fiction for readers of all ages. 

2. You must be 18 years of age or over to enter. There is no upper age limit. 

3. An ‘emerging writer’ is defined as someone who has not previously published, or has a contract for, a full-length work with a publisher including an independent or academic publisher. 

4. For the purposes of this prize, regional NSW is defined as the areas outside Greater Sydney. Greater Sydney includes the local government areas of the Northern Beaches and Hornsby Shire to the North, Hawkesbury City to the North-West, Penrith City Council to the West, Wollondilly Shire to the South-West and Sutherland Shire to the South. 

5. The sample of writing submitted for the prize must not have been previously published or due to be published prior to the announcement of the winner on 25 October 2025. The writing sample does not need to stand alone i.e. it can be an extract from a longer work. 

6. Submissions close on 8 September at 11:59pm AEST. Entries submitted after the closing date will not be considered. 

7. Entries must be submitted by uploading to https://freshinkprize.submittable.com/submit

8. Entries must comprise the following: 

a. A bio without identifying details 

b. Publishing history without identifying details 

c. Professional development plan with concrete details 

d. Sample of writing of between 2000 and 3000 words as well as a precis, especially if the sample is part of a larger work. 

9. Only one entry per person will be accepted. 

10. All entries will be judged blind, so please do not include your name anywhere in the submitted manuscript file or the file name, or as a result your entry will be deemed ineligible. 

11. The decision of the judges is final. The judges will not provide individual feedback to entrants. 

12. By submitting your entry, you agree to the Prize Terms and Conditions, which can be found at https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-prize-now-open/