April 16, 2026

Whitsunday Writers Festival Puts Out Call For Under 18s Competition

Literary talent knows no age limit, and the 2026 Whitsunday Writers Festival is opening the door to the region’s next generation of storytellers. This year’s festival is not just for published authors — it’s for dreamers, students and emerging voices ready to share their creativity.

As part of its mission to foster a love of reading and writing, the festival has announced a dedicated Under 18s category in the Heart Awards Short Story Competition.

Entries are now open and will close at 11:59pm on Friday, 17 July.

Young writers have the chance to compete for generous cash prizes, with $1,000 awarded for first place and $500 for the runner-up.

Applicants are invited to submit a short story of any genre between 1,000 and 3,000 words. Each entry must also include a logline of up to 25 words and a brief author bio.

Full submission details and eligibility requirements are available on the Whitsunday Writers Festival website.

WHAT: Whitsunday Writers Festival

WHEN: Sunday 13 September, 10.30am – 4.30pm

WHERE: Whitsunday Marine Club, 7 Altmann Ave, Airlie Beach