Since 2017, Port Writers has conducted an open writing competition.
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This year was the first year the not-for-profit group sponsored a prize specifically for local writers - the Hastings Prize.
The full competition received over 100 entries from every state and trritory across Australia, except NT.
Each year the competition runs, the more entries are received as it becomes an item on the writing competition calendar for people writing fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
Over 60 entrants produced excellent work with many submitting multiple entries.
The winning and commended entries all showed a high level of skill with one judge commenting, "the standard of writing was high and the results close".
The Port Writers' Open Competition provides an opportunity for writers to show the world what they can deliver.
To enter competitions such as this allows writers to hone their craft and test their mettle.
A prize in the competition enhances their writing credentials and assists their pitch for any future publication opportunities.
The inaugural Hastings prize winner, Melanie Wass said the Hastings Prize is a wonderful initiative of Port Writers to provide an opportunity just for local writers to help them develop their craft.
"Every writer has a challenging relationship with putting pen to paper: we love what we've written, we hate what we've written; we think it is wonderful, we're concerned it isn't; we're both embarrassed and excited to share it," she said.
"Putting oneself out there in a competitive environment is one way to focus the mind on crafting the best piece possible and having your ability to write validated as worthy."
The competition will open again in April 2022, so sharpen those pencils and join Port Writers.
The group has been meeting regularly since 2015 to support writers across the region in what is often a solitary past-time and to develop confidence and capability in writing.
A full calendar of events with guest speakers and various activities is scheduled for 2022.
The next meeting is late January. Find out more at portwriters.com.au.
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