Terms and Conditions 2022
We advise you read both the FAQs and the Terms and Conditions below.
By entering a piece in the Newcastle Poetry Prize, you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions.
Entries close 10pm AEST Monday 27th June 2022
The prize pool is $25 000 maximum donated by the University of Newcastle. Judges will award prizes up to that value.
The line limit is 200 maximum. This includes titles and any sub-headings. There is no minimum.
Only lines of text are included in the maximum 200 line count, not spaces between lines. Large white space between lines may be altered for either print or ebook presentation.
Entry is online only. Attach your poem as a .pdf or Word document (.doc) via the entry form.
You do not have to be a member of Hunter Writers Centre to enter the competition but only members are eligible for the HWC Members Award.
Entrants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. You can reside anywhere in the world.
Your poem must not include your name or any identifying marks. This means any word that the judges can link directly to you. Names of places and/or first names of people are, generally, acceptable. Be sure there are no words that identify you as the author.
If the judges have read part or all of your entry prior to making your submission you cannot submit that poem.
Entries must be the original work of the applicant and must not be published in any form (print or electronic) or currently offered for publication.
You must acknowledge any quotes from other writers that you use.
All authors must provide their own name on the entry form for administrative purposes. If you would prefer your poem to be published under a pseudonym, please note it on the entry form.
There is no limit on number of entries. A separate entry form and separate entry fee of $33 ($30.00 + $3.00 GST) must accompany each entry.
Poems entered in previous Newcastle Poetry Prize years that were not selected may be re-entered.
All poets selected to be entered into the anthology will be posted 1 copy of the print anthology. Poets residing overseas will be asked to contribute to postage costs.
Staff and Board Members of Hunter Writers Centre and their family members are not eligible to enter
Entrants must be aged over 18 years.
The judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into with either the judges, the staff or the board of Hunter Writers Centre or sponsors. If after reading the terms and conditions and the FAQs on this page, you still have a question, please email info@hunterwriterscentre.org
By entering the Newcastle Poetry Prize, the author gives permission to Hunter Writers Centre to publish your work in the anthology if selected by the judges. The copyright to the work is always retained by the author. As publisher of the anthology, Hunter Writers Centre will have First Publication Rights to all submitted works and may use any title or excerpt from any entry for the purpose of promoting the competition and the anthology. Any collection or publication subsequent to the Newcastle Poetry Prize that includes the author’s poem should acknowledge this competition.
Prize winners may be required to participate in media-related events associated with the competition.
The Newcastle Poetry Prize ceremony will be held either online or as a ceremonial event in Newcastle.
The list of authors to be published in the anthology will be announced approximately August 2021. Prizewinners will be announced at the prize ceremony.
By supplying your contact details you agree to us sending you opt-out correspondence.
HWC acknowledges that this competition is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top 4 tips for entering the Newcastle Poetry Prize?
Read the FAQs and the Terms and Conditions thoroughly.
Do not enter a poem which the judges have read before (in full or in part).
Do not include your name in your poem – either title or within the body of work. Your entry form is linked to your poem with a code number. It is sent to the judges separated from your entry form but the code number links to the two.
Consider purchasing a past anthology as this will show you the diversity selected and you will be supporting and enjoying Australian poetry!
The line limit is 200 maximum. Does this mean I have to write 200 lines?
No. In fact, over the years many shorter poems have been selected for publication. The reason the NPP has an upper limit of 200 lines is to give opportunity to those poets who wish to submit long poems or a suite of poems.
Should a poem rhyme?
No, it does not have to. Many poems selected by the judges do not rhyme.
Is there an exact style and format you require?
We only accept .doc, .docx, .pdf file format. Line spacing, font style and size is your choice.
Are spaces between the lines part of the line count?
No, only text lines are considered part of the line count. However, significant space between lines may not be publishable in the anthology.
How many times can I enter?
As many as you wish. One entry = one payment
I think I made a mistake with my piece. Can I submit it again?
If you submitted the work and paid successfully but want to upload another version of your work before the deadline, enter the poem again and contact us for a refund on your previous entry.
Can I use a pseudonym instead of my real name?
Yes you can but you will be asked on the entry form to also supply your real name – this will never be revealed to third parties.
What age can enter this competition?
Over 18s
If my name appears on the work is it disqualified?
Yes. The most common mistake entrants make is putting their name on the work.
We acknowledge the Awabakal and Worimi as the custodians of the lands on which we live, work and write.
Hunter Writers Centre
ABN 44 903 609 935
Postal Address:
PO Box 494
The Junction NSW 2291 Australia
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