Lane Cove Literary Awards
The Lane Cove Literary Awards is a prestigious national writing competition organised by Lane Cove Council that recognises writing excellence and fosters Australian writing talent. Australian writers over 16 years of age are invited to submit unpublished works.
And the Winners are…
Short Story Prize - The Cuckoo’s Nest by Andrea McMahon
Poetry Prize - Song is the Solitude by T.A.R Wallace
Theatre Script Prize - Early Morning by Kevin Nemeth
The Burns Bay Bookery Resident Prize - Shakespeare, Who Art Thou? by Paulene Turner
Be Your Own Boss Youth Prize - The Calm by Arlea Whelan
Wise Sage Prize - What is Colour? by Pippa Kay
Shortlisted entries are available as follows:
Short Story Shortlist
Poetry Shortlist
Theatre Script Shortlist
The Burns Bay Bookery Resident Shortlist
Be Your Own Boss Youth Prize Shortlist
Wise Sage Prize Shortlist
Longlisted entries are available as follows:
Short Story Longlist
Poetry Longlist
Theatre Script Longlist
Prize Categories:
- Short Story Prize - $2,000
- Poetry Prize - $1,500
- Theatre Script Prize - $1,500
The following additional prizes may be awarded:
- The Burns Bay Bookery Resident Prize - $500
- Be Your Own Boss Youth Prize (16 - 24 years) - $500
- Wise Sage Prize (65+ years) - $500
Thank you to our sponsors for 2023.
How to Enter the Awards?
- Entries have now closed for the Lane Cove Literary Awards 2023
- By entering this competition, the entrant agrees to the requirements and terms and conditions of entry
- Entries must not have been entered in previous Lane Cove Literary Awards
- An entry fee of $15 per entry is applicable
- Only one (1) entry in each category is permitted per person - Short Story, Poetry and Theatre Script
- Submissions are to be made online - Online Submissions
- All entries must be received by 5:00pm Wednesday 16 August 2023
- No changes can be made to submitted entries
Terms and Conditions
Entries must be original, unpublished (anything that has appeared in the public arena, including self-publishing and social media, is considered published) either in print or online, not have received an award in another competition, and not under consideration elsewhere from the time of entry in these awards until the official announcement of winners. Long and shortlisted entries will be checked.
The following word limits apply:
- Short Stories must not exceed 3,000 words
- Poems must be single poems with a maximum length of 50 lines and must not exceed 1,000 words
- Theatre Script must not exceed 10 pages/10 minutes performance time and must clearly differentiate between dialogue and stage directions
Entries in excess of these lengths will not be considered
Terms and Conditions
Lane Cove Literary Awards 2021: An Anthology
Lane Cove Council launched the Lane Cove Literary Awards 2021: An Anthology on Thursday 9 June 2022.
Copies can now be purchased from Lane Cove Library for $20.
Thank you to the Awards Sponsors and to the writers who entered the Lane Cove Literary Awards 2021.
Cr Andrew Zbik, Mayor of Lane Cove launching the Lane Cove Literary Awards 2021: An Anthology
Previous Winners of the Lane Cove Literary Awards 2014 - 2021
The Lane Cove Literary Awards (now held biennially) were first introduced in 2014 and are entering their eighth year.
Winning and shortlisted entries are featured in an anthology as part of the Awards.
Copies are available to purchase from the Library.
Previous Winners of the Lane Cove Literary Awards 2014 - 2021