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2026 Adam NZ Play Award Submissions
Submissions are now open for the 2026 Adam NZ Play Award. Awards may be given in the following categories: – Best Play – Best Play by a Māori Playwright – Best Play by a Pasifika Playwright – Best Play by a Woman Playwright We are very grateful for the generosity of the Adam Foundation who enable […]
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Allen & Unwin Aotearoa NZ Fiction Prize
The Allen & Unwin Aotearoa NZ Fiction Prize has been created to support New Zealand writers and to give our readers fantastic, home-grown stories that resonate. The winner will be awarded a publishing contract with an advance against royalties of $NZD 10,000. The competition will be open to all unpublished full-length commercial fiction manuscripts between 70,000 […]
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The Commonwealth Short Story Prize opens for entries
The prize is free to enter and open to any citizen of a Commonwealth country aged 18 and over. Submissions should be made via the online entry form, which is available via the link above. The eligibility requirements and entry rules can be found here. Writers have until 11.59pm GMT on 1 November 2025 to enter […]
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University Bookshop Summer Writer in Residence
In association with Robert Lord Writers Cottage and City of Literature Dunedin, New Zealand @dunedincityoflit, this residency is open to emerging writers who are normally resident in New Zealand and write for adults, young adults or children. They may write in any genre including poetry, drama, fiction, narrative non-fiction, graphic novels, biography, autobiography, essays or literary criticism. This six […]
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2026 Next Generation Short Story Awards
Enter by February 26, 2026 to be a part of the 2026 awards program If you would like to receive greater recognition, monetary prizes, awards and exposure for your short stories, here is an opportunity not to miss. Enter the 2026 Next Generation Short Story Awards. Calling all short story writers, even first time authors, in […]
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Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards
Calling All New Zealand Speculative Authors. Have you published a speculative work in 2025? Then this is your time to shine! For the first time ever, Aotearoa has a nationally judged book award dedicated solely to speculative fiction — and we want to see your work in the spotlight. All genres welcome — from science […]
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The 2025 Graeme Lay Short Story Competition
The Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa is delighted to bring you our annual short story competition, judged by esteemed writer Graeme Lay. Conditions of Entry This competition is open to any writer in or from Aotearoa. All entries must be original and not previously published or […]
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Applications for the CLNZ 2025 Contestable Fund Grants are now open
Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ) is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 round of Contestable Fund Grants. We have $75,000 available to support strategic projects that demonstrate New Zealand publishing sector growth. The Contestable Fund Grants are made possible through the CLNZ Cultural Fund. Applications are invited for projects that have […]
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Applications Invited For 2026 Randell Cottage Writers Residency
Applications are now open for one of New Zealand’s top writing residencies: the 2026 Randell Cottage Writers Fellowship. The fellowship comprises a generous stipend, currently set in the order of $32,000, and six months’ rent-free accommodation in one of Wellington’s oldest heritage homes. The residency will run from July to December 2026. “We’re incredibly proud […]
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🖋 WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY POETRY COMPETITION 2025 🖋
Theme: “The Mind Unmasked” Mental health is layered — messy, complex, invisible, loud, silent, and deeply human. This October, we’re inviting poets from around the world to share their truth through poetry. Whether you’ve lived it or you’re holding space for someone else’s journey, your voice matters. There’s no need for perfect metaphors — just […]
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Sheikh Zayed Book Award
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award commemorates the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and his pioneering role in promoting national unity and development. The Award, and its associated accolades, are presented annually to outstanding writers, intellectuals, and publishers, as well as young talent whose […]
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Write Room Screenwriter Residency 2026 – Call for Applications
*FOR FILM & TELEVISION SCREENWRITERS ** Application deadline: 5pm, Mon 20 October 2025 Programme Dates: 26 January – 15 August 2026 This opportunity is for a Wellington-based screenwriter hailing from film, television, web-series, theatre, radio, journalism or other literary backgrounds; with a feature film or TV series at a stage that will benefit from focused […]
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