KSP Speculative Fiction Awards Open

Entries are open for the 2009 Katharine Susannah Prichard Speculative Fiction (science fiction and fantasy) Awards. This prestigious competition has run since 1998, with many winners going on to successful careers as science fiction and fantasy authors. Entries close on 29 May, and writers of all ages are invited to apply. Cash prizes are awarded, and winners are invited to read at the Awards Ceremony on Sunday 16 August 2009. The Speculative Fiction Awards are popular with school groups, and to encourage young writers there is no entry fee for those aged 20 and under. Each story in the Open category needs to be accompanied by a $7.50 fee. Stories must be between 1500 and 3500 words, with all forms of speculative fiction welcomed. Competitions are important in raising the profile of emerging writers. The challenge of generating interest from agents and publishers is a universal problem, and competition successes are a valuable addition to a writer's CV. Further information can be found on the Katharine Susannah Prichard Foundation website, www.kspf.iinet.net.au. The Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers' Centre is the oldest writers' centre of its kind in Australia. It is located in the Perth hills in the former home of Katharine Susannah Prichard, author of Coonardoo, Working Bullocks and The Goldfields Trilogy. For further information contact the Centre via email on kspf@iinet.net.au, or check out the website http://kspf.iinet.net.au