Sudden Writing Prize
Each year, Express Media works with the Australasian Association of Writing Programs to present the Sudden Writing Prize, a prize for emerging writers under 25.
We are deeply interested in capturing a composite “picture” of what people are writing about. Now. Please send creative work—short-short fiction, “sudden” fiction, “sketchy” stories, creative nonfiction, poetry, as well as hybrid forms.
We accept submissions on the following scale: up to 400 words prose, 40 lines for poetry, 200 words for prose poems, and the equivalent for hybrid forms. Submissions must be previously unpublished. Please send your most polished work, without delay.
If you win you will receive a written commendation from AAWP and a $500 cash prize. You will have your work published on the Express Mediawebsite and receive a Voiceworks subscription. You will also receive fully subsidised conference fees to attend the annual conference of the AAWP, where you will be invited to read from your work.
Read the full terms of entry here.
Submit to the AAWP & Express Media Sudden Writing Prize here!
Submissions close 30 June 2026.
Read past winners on the Express Media website:
