Submissions to the inaugural KYD Creative Non-Fiction Essay Prize are now open!

We’re looking for works of creative non-fiction between 2500 and 3500 words, on any subject and in any style (such as memoir, commentary, cultural criticism, reportage etc). This year’s prize is judged by award-winning essayist Fiona Wright in collaboration with KYD staff.

First prize is $3000, with two runner-up prizes of $1000 each, to be published on the KYD website in early 2023.

Submissions now closed. 

Submissions are open exclusively to KYD Members (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers are invited to enter without a membership). Full terms & conditions available at the link below—for any queries contact [email protected]

Need some inspiration? Read some great recent examples of creative non-fiction essays from the KYD archive:

An old photograph of a middle-aged Chinese-Australian man and woman standing in a restaurant, with their two young children between them. The father and daughter are holding a knife above a birthday cake on the table in front of them.

A Farewell to Cheung’s Court

by Eugene Yiu Nam Cheung

A hand resting on an open book, which is lit with dappled shadow. Two pressed pink flowers sit on the left page

How to Press Flowers

by Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh

Time Signatures

by Sam van Zweden

Everything Everyone Has Ever Said About the Pool

by Ellena Savage

 

Or check out our online writing course on mastering the Creative Non-Fiction Essay:

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