Blacktown City writers are being invited to go ‘all out’ as part of the 2026 Blacktown Mayoral Creative Writing Prize.

The annual competition is open to adults, and to children (aged 8 to 17 years) who live in Blacktown City, with entrants invited to submit a fictional short story or poem inspired by the idea of going ‘All Out’.

Entries will be judged in the following age categories: 8 to 11 years, 12 to 14 years, 15 to 17 years, and adults aged 18 and over.

Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting encouraged local writers to enter the competition and share their creativity.

“I want the Blacktown Mayoral Creative Writing Prize to encourage writers of all ages to share their voice, tell their stories and see their work recognised,” Mayor Bunting said.

“Every year, we see stories and poems that are thoughtful, original, funny, moving and full of imagination.

“This year’s theme, ‘All Out’, gives writers plenty of room to explore. It could mean giving everything you have, stepping into the world with courage, pushing a story to its limits, or imagining something completely unexpected.

“Blacktown City is home to people from many backgrounds, cultures and life experiences. That means our city is full of stories, and this prize helps bring some of those stories to the page.”

Winners and highly commended writers will have their work published in the 2026 Blacktown Mayoral Anthology by WestWords and will receive a cash prize from a total prize pool of $2,400.

The winners’ award ceremony will take place as part of the 2026 Write Out West Festival in November.

Entries will open Friday, 19 June 2026

Entries close 11.59 pm, Monday 14 September 2026.

The Blacktown Mayoral Creative Writing Prize is run in partnership with WestWords, Western Sydney’s literature development organisation.

WestWords supports writers and young people across the region through literary programs, publications, workshops, residencies and fellowships that celebrate and develop Western Sydney voices.

For more information visit https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Community/Awards-scholarships-and-competitions/Mayoral-Creative-Writing-Prize

PHOTO: Mayor Brad Bunting with some of last year’s winners.