Queensland’s renowned suite of poetry awards support, recognise and celebrate emerging and established poets.

Entries (currently closed): Mon 5 Aug – Tues 10 Sept 2024
Awards Launch (as part of QPoetry!): Fri 9 Aug 2024
Awards Presentation (at Queensland Writers Centre Christmas Party): Fri 29 Nov 2024 (winners announced below)

The Arts Queensland Poetry Awards, including the Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize, XYZ Prize for Spoken Word and Val Vallis Award, are administered by Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. The Oodgeroo Noonuccal Prize for Indigenous Poetry is administered by QWC and supported by the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing (James Cook University).

 

Winners Announced – 2 December 2024

  • Winner:

    Borrow-or-rob – Eva Phillips

    Runner-Up:

    Only Guesswork – Sean West

    Shortlist

    Fallings Upwards – Mran-Maree
    Paper Seeds – Victoria Bladen
    Work Poems – D. Frederick Thomas

    Judges:

    Jarad Bruinstroop and Eileen Chong

  • Winner:

    The Dam Dries by Damen O’Brien

    Runner-Up:

    I found an ant in my honey jarby Nikki McCahon

    Shortlist

    Bonsai Katie Cassidy
    Vivid women Anne Elvey
    The Questionnaire Damen O’Brien

    Judges:

    Yvette Holt and Sarah Yeung

  • Winner:

    Country centred metaphors/rockets – Nathan mudyi Sentence

    Runner-Up:

    Returning Home – vika mana

    Shortlist

    Birth of Melamurrk Maree McCarthy Yoelu
    You are loved beyond this time vika mana
    Gamilaraay Bookmark Haytham Trueheart

    Judges:

    Jeanine Leane and Julie Janson

  • Winner:

    An Apology to Myself – Vuma Phiri

    Runner-Up:

    Kissaway (Kanaka's song) – Kristal Brown

    Judges:

    Huda Fadlelmawla and Queensland Writers Centre


Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript


ENTRY FORM (NOW CLOSED)


 
 

Overview

Annual Prize. Entries open (now closed): Mon 5 Aug – Tues 10 Sept 2024

Named in honour of a distinguished Queensland poet, the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize for an unpublished manuscript is committed to encouraging emerging Queensland poets. Since its establishment in 2003, the prize has launched the poetic careers of some of Australia’s most distinguished writers.

The Prize, as part of the Arts Queensland Poetry Awards, is administered by QWC and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.


Prize

Winner: $2,250 + publication contract and editorial development with UQP
Runner-Up: $500 + chapbook publication
Shortlist: One Year Membership with QWC

Opportunities for development are available to all Entrants, including feedback on submissions (as a paid add-on) and an online workshop.

Publication Partner

Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) is proud to partner with University of Queensland Press (UQP) to offer editorial development and a publication contract to the Winner of the Prize.


What to Submit

Submit a complete, unpublished poetry collection manuscript between 48–100 pages in length. Suggested formatting as follows:

Submit as an unrestricted Word document (.docx) or PDF file. Please do not include your name or identifying details on any portion of the submission.

  • 12pt Times New Roman or Arial font

  • 1.5 line spacing

  • 1” or 3cm margins on an A4 page

  • Start each new poem on a new page

  • Include page numbers


Previous winners

Lidija Cvetkovic, Jaya Savige, Nathan Shepherdson, Angela Gardner, Sarah Holland-Batt, Felicity Plunkett, Rosanna Licari, Vlanes (Vladislav Nekliaev), Nick Powell, R.A. Briggs, David Stavanger, Kris Kneen, Stuart Barnes, Shastra Deo, Rae White, Anna Jacobson, Luke Best, Gavin Yuan Gao, Janaka Malwatta, Jarad Bruinstroop, Madeleine Dale, Eva Phillips.


Submission guidelines

Entries are accepted only via the online Entry Form. By making a submission Entrants acknowledge to have read and understood the Submission Guidelines.

Entrants should submit their own original work.

Poems may be of any genre or style.

Entrants should be resident in Queensland or have significant, demonstrable connection to Queensland.

Entrants to the Prize should be emerging poets – writers who have not had a full-length collection of poetry (>40 pages) or equivalent body of poetic work commercially published a (i.e. with an ISBN).

Entrants under 18 years are eligible but should contact QWC prior to entering, and will require permission from a guardian.

At least a portion of the collection should be previously unpublished. Poems included in the submission may be previously published separately (i.e. in journals, publications etc), provided the Entrant holds the requisite rights to submit the work and enter any contractual arrangements offered as part of the Prize. (Prior publication is highly encouraged.)

Multiple submissions are permitted. Each submission requires a separate Entry and fee.

Entrants grant first right of refusal on the publication of the manuscript to UQP for an exclusive period of up to 12 weeks following public announcements if selected as Winner or Runner-Up. Further contractual arrangements will be made directly with the Publisher. QWC otherwise reserves no rights over works submitted to the Awards; Entrants retain copyright at all times.

Where there is Indigenous content or participation in the work, Entrants should comply with Creative Australia’s Protocols for using First Nations Intellectual and Cultural Property.

Discounted entry fees are available to all concession card holders (including students, seniors and pensioners) and current members of state writers’ centres in the National Writers’ Centre Network, including QWC.

Entries will be subject to a rigorous assessment process with review by QWC team members, trained Readers and two experienced guest Judges, including a blind read process.

Judges’ feedback is not provided to unsuccessful Entrants; Entrants may choose to receive Readers’ feedback in an online Feedback Session with QWC staff (as a paid add-on). No correspondence with Readers or Judges may be entered into.

Submissions will be disposed of securely up to nine months after QWC completes the selection process. QWC may record and keep other information provided on the Entry Form for reference purposes.

The awarding of a Winner, Runner-Up and Shortlist (up to three writers) is to be at QWC’s discretion, and may depend on the quality and number of submissions received. In the event a Winner is not awarded, QWC may provide development opportunities (e.g. mentorship) to up to three highly-placed Entrants.

QWC does not guarantee the future publication of work submitted to the Awards.

QWC is committed to providing a relevant online development workshop, delivered by an industry professional, to all Entrants free of charge, regardless of submission outcome. QWC will endeavour to tailor the content of the session to address commonalities found across the cohort of submissions.

All Entrants will be personally notified of the outcome of their Entry prior to public announcements.

For assistance with your Entry, please contact QWC at admin@qldwriters.org.au or (07) 3842 9922.

These Submission Guidelines were developed and updated for the 2024 suite of Queensland’s poetry awards. QWC reserves the right to amend Guidelines for future Awards.


Arts Queensland Val Vallis Award for an Unpublished Poem



 
 

Overview

Annual Prize. Entries open (now closed): Mon 5 Aug – Tues 10 Sept 2024

Named in honour of a distinguished Queensland poet, the Arts Queensland Val Vallis Award for an unpublished poem is committed to recognising and celebrating the work of Australian poets.

The Prize, as part of the Arts Queensland Poetry Awards, is administered by QWC and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.


Prize

Winner: $1,500 + publication with Westerly
Runner-Up: $500 + publication with Westerly
Shortlist: One Year Membership with QWC

An opportunity for development in an online workshop is included for all Entrants.

Publication Partner

QWC is proud to partner with Westerly to offer a publication opportunity to the Winner and Runner-Up of the Prize.


What to Submit

Submit an unpublished poem (or suite of poems) up to 80 lines in length. Suggested formatting as follows:

Submit as an unrestricted Word document (.docx) or PDF file. Please do not include your name or identifying details on any portion of the submission.

  • 12pt Times New Roman or Arial font

  • 1.5 line spacing

  • 1” or 3cm margins on an A4 page

  • Start each new poem on a new page

  • Include page numbers


Previous winners

Jaya Savige, Judy Johnson, Ynes Sanz, Nathan Shepherdson, Andrew Slattery, Anna Krien, Michelle Cahill, R.A. Briggs, Chloe Wilson, B.R. Dionysius, Andrew Last, Caitlin Maling, Bronwyn Lovell, Zenobia Frost, Damen O’Brien, Helen Lucas, Dimitra Harvey, Dan Hogan, Jarad Bruinstroop


Submission guidelines

Entries are accepted only via the online Entry Form at queenslandwriters.org.au/poetry-awards. By making a submission Entrants acknowledge to have read and understood the Submission Guidelines.

Entrants should submit their own original work.

Poems may be of any genre or style.

Entrants should be Australian citizens or currently resident in Australia.

Entrants to the Prize may be published or unpublished poets or writers.

Entrants under 18 years are eligible but should contact QWC prior to entering, and will require permission from a guardian.

Poetry included in the submission should be previously unpublished and not on offer for publication elsewhere.

Multiple submissions are permitted but limited to five total. Each submission requires a separate Entry and fee.

For co-authored Entries, please contact QWC prior to making a submission.

Entrants grant first right of refusal on the publication of the poem to the Publication Partner for an exclusive period of up to 12 weeks following public announcements if selected as Winner or Runner-Up. Further contractual arrangements will be made directly with the Publisher. QWC otherwise reserves no rights over works submitted to the Awards; Entrants retain copyright at all times.

Where there is Indigenous content or participation in the work, Entrants should comply with Creative Australia’s Protocols for using First Nations Intellectual and Cultural Property.

Discounted entry fees are available to all concession card holders (including students, seniors and pensioners) and current members of state writers’ centres in the National Writers’ Centre Network, including QWC.

Entries will be subject to a rigorous assessment process with review by QWC team members, trained Readers and two experienced guest Judges, including a blind read process.

Judges’ feedback is not provided to unsuccessful Entrants. No correspondence with Readers or Judges may be entered into.

Submissions will be disposed of securely up to nine months after QWC completes the selection process. QWC may record and keep other information provided on the Entry Form.

The awarding of a Winner, Runner-Up and Shortlist (of up to three writers) is to be at QWC’s discretion, and may depend on the quality and number of submissions received. In the event a Winner is not awarded, QWC may provide development opportunities (e.g. mentorship) to up to three highly-placed Entrants.

QWC does not guarantee the future publication of work submitted to the Awards.

QWC is committed to providing a relevant online development workshop, delivered by an industry professional, to all Entrants free of charge, regardless of submission outcome. QWC will endeavour to tailor the content of the session to address commonalities found across the cohort of submissions.

All Entrants will be personally notified of the outcome of their Entry prior to public announcements.

For assistance with your Entry, please contact QWC at admin@qldwriters.org.au or (07) 3842 9922.

These Submission Guidelines were developed and updated for the 2024 suite of Queensland’s poetry awards. QWC reserves the right to amend Guidelines for future Awards.


Oodgeroo Noonuccal Prize for Indigenous Poetry



 
 

Overview

Annual Prize. Entries open (now closed): Mon 5 Aug – Tues 10 Sept 2024

The Oodgeroo Noonuccal Prize for Indigenous Poetry is a prestigious Australian prize for an unpublished poem by an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander writer. The Prize is named in honour of Oodgeroo Noonuccal, a founding member of QWC and the first Aboriginal Australian to publish a book of verse.

The Prize is administered by QWC and supported by the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing (James Cook University).


Prize

Winner: $2,500 + mentorship + publication in Meanjin
Runner-Up: $750 + publication in Meanjin
Shortlist: One Year Membership with QWC

An opportunity for development in an online workshop is included for all Entrants.

Publication Partner

QWC is proud to partner with Meanjin to offer a publication opportunity to the Winner and Runner-Up of the Prize.


What to Submit

Submit an unpublished poem (or suite of poems) up to 80 lines in length. Poetry in language is welcomed (accompanied by an English translation). Suggested formatting as follows:

Submit as an unrestricted Word document (.docx) or PDF file. Please do not include your name or identifying details on any portion of the submission.

  • 12pt Times New Roman or Arial font

  • 1.5 line spacing

  • 1” or 3cm margins on an A4 page

  • Start each new poem on a new page

  • Include page numbers


Previous winners

Julie Janson / Andrew Booth, Jeanine Leane / Sachem Parkin-Owens, Brenda Saunders, Jeanine Leane, Mykaela Saunders, Dominic Guerrera, Cheryl Leavy, Adam Brannigan, Nathan mudyi Sentance.


Submission guidelines

Entries are accepted only via the online Entry Form at queenslandwriters.org.au/poetry-awards. By making a submission Entrants acknowledge to have read and understood the Submission Guidelines.

Entrants should submit their own original work.

Poems may be of any genre or style.

Entries are open to all Indigenous, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander poets, emerging and established.

Entrants should be Australian citizens or currently resident in Australia.

Entrants to the Prize may be published or unpublished poets and writers.

Entrants under 18 years are eligible but should contact QWC prior to entering, and will require permission from a guardian.

Poetry included in the submission should be previously unpublished and not on offer for publication elsewhere.

Multiple submissions are permitted but limited to five total. Each submission requires a separate Entry and fee.

For co-authored Entries, please contact QWC prior to making a submission.

Successful Entrants to the Prize may be asked to provide a copy of a document that confirms Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, or a statutory declaration form.

Entrants grant first right of refusal on the publication of the manuscript to Meanjin for an exclusive period of up to 12 weeks following public announcements if selected as Winner, Runner-Up or Highest Quandamooka Entry. Further contractual arrangements will be made directly with the Publisher. QWC otherwise reserves no rights over works submitted to the Awards; Entrants retain copyright at all times.

Entrants should comply with Creative Australia’s Protocols for using First Nations Intellectual and Cultural Property.

Discounted entry fees are available to all concession card holders (including students, seniors and pensioners) and current members of state writers’ centres in the National Writers’ Centre Network, including QWC.

Entries will be subject to a rigorous assessment process with review by QWC team members, trained Readers and two experienced guest Judges, including a blind read process.

Judges’ feedback is not provided to unsuccessful Entrants. No correspondence with Readers or Judges may be entered into.

Submissions will be disposed of securely up to nine months after QWC completes the selection process. QWC may record and keep other information provided on the Entry Form.

The awarding of a Winner, Runner-Up, Highest Quandamooka Entry and/or Shortlist (of up to three writers) is to be at QWC’s discretion, and may depend on the quality and number of submissions received. In the event a Winner is not awarded, QWC may provide development opportunities (e.g. mentorship) to up to three highly-placed Entrants.

QWC does not guarantee the future publication of work submitted to the Awards.

QWC is committed to providing a relevant online development workshop, delivered by an industry professional, to all Entrants free of charge, regardless of submission outcome. QWC will endeavour to tailor the content of the session to address commonalities found across the cohort of submissions.

All Entrants will be personally notified of the outcome of their Entry prior to public announcements.

For assistance with your Entry, please contact QWC at admin@qldwriters.org.au or (07) 3842 9922.

These Submission Guidelines were developed and updated for the 2024 suite of Queensland’s poetry awards. QWC reserves the right to amend Guidelines for future Awards.


Arts Queensland XYZ Prize for Spoken Word



 
 

Overview

Annual Prize. Entries open (now closed): Mon 5 Aug – Tues 10 Sept 2024

Awarded since 2015, the Arts Queensland XYZ Prize is committed to recognising and celebrating excellence and innovation in Australian performance poetry and spoken word.

The Prize, as part of the Arts Queensland Poetry Awards, is administered by Queensland Writers Centre and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.


Publication Partner

QWC will publish the Winner and Runner-Up online.

Prize

Winner: $1,250 + publication contract
Runner-Up: $500 + publication contract
Shortlist: One Year Membership with QWC

An opportunity for development in an online workshop is included for all Entrants.


What to Submit

Submit a link to a recording of spoken word or performance poetry up to 3 minutes in length, in audio or video format. Please include a transcript to the following suggested formatting.

Submit as an unrestricted Word document (.docx) or PDF file. Please do not include your name or identifying details on any portion of the submission.

  • 12pt Times New Roman or Arial font

  • 1.5 line spacing

  • 1” or 3cm margins on an A4 page

  • Include page numbers


Previous winners

Manna Marvel, Benjamin Wild, Quinn Eades, Anisa Nandaula, Fable Goldsmith, Eloise Grills / Jasmine Roberson, Megan J. Riedl, Dan Hogan.


Submission guidelines

Entries are accepted only via the online Entry Form. By making a submission Entrants acknowledge to have read and understood the Submission Guidelines.

Entrants should submit their own original work.

Performances may be of any genre or style.

Entrants should be Australian citizens or currently resident in Australia.

Entrants to the Prize may be published or unpublished writers and poets.

Entrants under 18 years are eligible but should contact QWC prior to entering, and will require permission from a guardian.

Entries should not have been previously published in a recorded format, and poetry included in the submission should not be on offer for publication elsewhere. Material included in the recording may be previously published in a written format (i.e. in a journal) provided the Entrant holds the requisite rights to perform and republish it in a recorded format.

Entries do not need to be broadcast quality or include sound or video production. Entrants may edit the recording or include additional sounds or music provided the majority focus of the Entry remains on the spoken word. (The Entrant must hold the rights to use all elements included in the submission.)

Multiple submissions are permitted but limited to five total. Each submission requires a separate Entry and fee.

For co-authored Entries, please contact QWC prior to making a submission.

Entrants grant first right of refusal on the publication of the recording to QWC for an exclusive period of up to 12 weeks following public announcements if selected as Winner or Runner-Up. Further contractual arrangements will be made directly. QWC otherwise reserves no rights over works submitted to the Awards; Entrants retain copyright at all times.

Where there is Indigenous content or participation in the work, Entrants should comply with Creative Australia’s Protocols for using First Nations Intellectual and Cultural Property.

Discounted entry fees are available to all concession card holders (including students, seniors and pensioners) and current members of state writers’ centres in the National Writers’ Centre Network, including QWC.

Entries will be subject to a rigorous assessment process with review by QWC team members, trained Readers and two experienced guest Judges, including an anonymous judging process insofar as is feasibly possible given the format.

Feedback is not provided to unsuccessful Entrants. No correspondence with Readers or Judges may be entered into.

Submissions will be disposed of securely up to nine months after QWC completes the selection process. QWC may record and keep other information provided on the Entry Form.

The awarding of a Winner, Runner-Up and Shortlist (of up to three writers) is to be at QWC’s discretion, and may depend on the quality and number of submissions received. In the event a Winner is not awarded, QWC may provide development opportunities (e.g. mentorship) to up to three highly-placed Entrants.

QWC does not guarantee the future publication of work submitted to the Awards.

QWC is committed to providing a relevant online development workshop, delivered by an industry professional, to all Entrants free of charge, regardless of submission outcome. QWC will endeavour to tailor the content of the session to address commonalities found across the cohort of submissions.

All writers will be personally notified of the outcome of their Entry prior to public announcements.

For assistance with your Entry, please contact QWC at admin@qldwriters.org.au or (07) 3842 9922.

These Submission Guidelines were developed and updated for the 2024 suite of Queensland’s poetry awards. QWC reserves the right to amend Guidelines for future Awards.