The $4000 Guy Morrison Prize for Literary Journalism recognises excellence in Literary Journalism by an undergraduate and postgraduate Writing or Journalism student.

The prize honours Sydney journalist and playwright Guy Morrison, former Production Editor of The Australian and Features Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, author of the memoir We Shared an Island, and plays Jara, Those Old Picasso Blues, Dancing the Tango in Sensible Shoes, Victor, and Eat Cake.

Conditions of the Prize

The Prize is for the best piece of Literary Journalism by an undergraduate or postgraduate student enrolled in a Writing or Journalism program in an Australian university. In the context of this Prize, Literary Journalism is defined as: “a factually accurate, well-researched story that demonstrates the use of fiction techniques in a work of non-fiction; a work that is written with style, flair, detailed description and narrative flow; a work that demonstrates a journalistic and critical understanding of some of the finest reportage in the English language”. The work submitted for the Prize must demonstrate these qualities.

There will be only one award presented each year and this will be at the discretion of the judges. The prize may not be given if there is not deemed to be a suitable candidate. The amount of the Prize is $4000. There is a travel allowance of up to $500 if the winner lives outside Sydney.

To qualify for consideration for the Prize, the applicant must:

1. Have been enrolled in a Writing or Journalism Program as a part-time or full-time undergraduate or postgraduate in an Australian university.
2. Have submitted a story of not less than 2,000 words and not more than 10,000 words that exemplifies the qualities of Literary Journalism as stated here.
3. Have produced the work in the 2015 academic year

Applications

Applicants must submit three (3) copies of the story, A-4 and double-spaced, with full details of name, institution, course, contact details and have it authenticated by a supervising academic.

Applications must be received by Trusteess, Dr Sandra Symons, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, PO Box 123 Broadway, NSW 2007 and marked “Guy Morrison Prize” by Friday the 29th of April.

The winning entry will be decided by a specially convened selection committee and the nominated judge, the decision of which shall be final. The winner will be announced at the launch of the UTS Writers’ Anthology during the 2016 Sydney Writers’ Festival, May 16-22.

Editors of the TEXT Journal’s special issue on the Essay have extended their deadline for abstracts to the 31st of March. This issue of TEXT is an invitation for writers, scholars, and creative practitioners to think through the implications of the essay as an evolving contemporary genre in Australasia.

For more information and how to submit, see their updated call for papers.

ARTErra is a private initiative which has been active in the Tondela district for quite a few years, with the community welcoming ongoing projects and the artists they host. 

The ARTErra residency aims is to be a place where artists can work and develop their projects, and where cultural and ideas exchange can take place. During their stay at ARTErra artists will be hosted in the main house with a fully equipped kitchen at their disposal and rooms of different size (they can accommodate up to 4 people) for individuals or groups, and studios and recording rooms are available. ARTErra accepts applications from artists who work in all disciplines and at any stage of their career.

 Their “Call for Artists – Spring 2016” will be open until the 30^th of April 2016. For more information, visit their website.

The Australian Catholic University is once again holding its annual national Prize for Poetry. The theme for this year’s Prize is “Loving Kindness”, and entries close on 6th June 2016. You can find the entry form here, and for more information see their website.

Abstract proposals are sought for a Special Issue of TEXT Journal which will explore contemporary creative writing in relation to Romanticism’s legacy, its influences, inspirations, tyrannies and resistances. In the context of creative writing’s establishment as an academic discipline, the rise of environmental Humanities and opportunities offered by the digital turn as a platform for new writing, this collection offers an opportunity from which to consider Romanticism’s legacies and possibilities for new, post-Romanticist discourses to emerge.  Papers should clearly relate to contemporary creative writing.

See the complete Call for Papers for details about potential topics and how to submit.

Deadline: 15 August, 2016

The 11th issue of Axon focuses on creative work and will be published in late 2016.

The topic of creative work is a major theme of Modern Art. From Balzac’s 1843 novel Lost Illusions, to Ac-DC’s chart buster ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock’n’Roll)’, from Shelley’s Defence of Poetry, to Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge, the conditions and status of cultural work have provided artists with a major source of subject matter, inspiration, and grievance.

While the idea of a creative economy has been on high rotation in recent years, this issue seeks to explore the work of creativity. What are the hazards and returns, the fringe benefits and shadow prices, the imaginings and assumptions, of the life of art? Are creatives just funemployed, or are they gainfully artful? What are the relations between creativity and work in this mixed-up sector?

This issue invites literary and photographic essays, short stories, scholarly articles, interviews, memoirs, and reviews that delve into this underexplored phenomenon.

Deadline for submissions: Friday 1 April 2016. For more information, see the website

If your university has a course related to creative writing, please check the details on our course listings page.

The Australasian Association of Writing Programs exists to provide a forum for discussion on all aspects of teaching creative and professional writing as well as current theories on creativity and writing, and to improve the quality of programs across Australasia. Our website introduces visitors to the Association, and provides information on writing courses, competitions, conferences and other relevant material, so it’s important that universities keep their listings up to date.

Send any new details or updates to Jessie Seymour at info@aawp.org.au

The University of New South Wales is hosting the Association for the Study of Australian Literature annual conference, 6-9 July 2016. This Association for the Study of Australian Literature promotes the study, discussion and creation of Australian writing. It also seeks to increase awareness of Australian writing in the wider community and throughout the world. ASAL holds conferences and maintains a directory of postgraduate research on this website.

Confirmed keynote speakers include Melissa Lucashenko, Lyn McCredden and Chadwick Allen. The conference will feature two panels of writers: a panel of local indigenous writers and a panel bringing writers from around the country.

For more details, visit UNSW’s website or the Association for the Study of Australian Literature’s website.

The Stella Prize and Writers Victoria invite members of the writing community to contribute to the upcoming Stella Diversity Survey at this open forum discussion. This will be an opportunity to help shape the survey by sharing and discussing any thoughts, feedback, concerns or questions.

The event is on Thursday 17 March 2016 – 5:00pm to 8:00pm, at The Wheeler Centre in Melbourne. This public forum is free, but attendees are requested to register on the website. Babies and children are welcome.

NAWE’s new Journal of Creative Writing Research, Writing in Practice, is a peer-reviewed journal that aims to explore the nature of the art of writing, highlighting current academic thinking and practice, and reflecting on this with an international outlook. The second volume, featuring writing from AAWP members Craig Batty, Tony McMahon, Karina Quinn, and James Vicars, is now live! Check out their website for more details.

The Call for Papers for Volume 3, is also available here.