Australian Book Review is reviving the Short Story Competition, with a first prize valued at $2000. There are two other prizes. All three place-getters will be published in the magazine. Stories in English of between 1000 and 3000 words are eligible, as long as they have not been published previously or are not on offer elsewhere. Multiple entries are acceptable. The closing date is May 10. For an entry form go to: http://www.australianbookreview.com.au/competitions/short-story-competition

or call (03) 9429 6700. ABR now publishes short fiction. They welcome submissions from authors.

A couple of great opportunities to support performing artists and have a go yourself. So come on and get involved:

Wed 3 March from 6.30pm Wattle Foyer Soiree - Live Mic and Artists Networking Opportunity Come along and make the Soiree whatever you like...

Thursday 11 & Friday 12 March 8pm No Planet B - contemporary dance by emerging choreographer Alison Plevey with 8 young Bathurst dancers Tickets only $8/$12.00

Sat 13 March 7.30pm for 8pm Cabaret Kite 'Curiouser & Curiouser - a mad tea party..' Tickets $12 ( BMEC members) and $15 Hosted by Queen of Hearts - Kate Smith

To book your place at any of these great events contact BMEC Box office 6333 6161

Get in quick for this one. Screen NSW is calling for further applications to its Aurora script development program for 2010. The deadline is COB, Tuesday 2 March. Ashley Luke, Director, Creative Partnerships, Screen NSW, said that there are openings in the 2010 program for projects that fit the Aurora criteria, as it was considered that some previous applicants were more suited to alternative development pathways.

Applicants are advised, given the tight deadline, that scripts will NOT be accepted. In the first instance, Screen NSW is calling for a detailed synopsis. All other eligibility requirements, which are outlined in the guidelines and on the application form, must be strictly adhered to and sent along with the synopsis.

For application forms and/or further information visit the Screen NSW Aurora webpage or telephone Louise Blue, Aurora Coordinator, on 02 8222 4844, fax 02 8222 4040 or by email at aurora@screen.nsw.gov.au

Okay - check out this great idea - The Story Bag. This media agency aims to bring Australian writers into our everyday world. They are searching for short stories, poems and sayings that can be printed on paper/cloth bags and/or coffee cups to be distributed by cafés, wine stores and retail outlets - an innovative new channel to reach the public and make literature part of our everyday life. They offer authors: • Paid publication of their work • Direct exposure to the Australian public • Exposure to a variety of businesses including publishers, cultural associations, bookstores • Long term retention of their work in the database.

Up to three entries at a time allowed enabling a demonstration of different styles and pieces. Please send your short stories, poems and sayings (maximum 1800 characters including spaces) to barbara@storybag.com.au. For more information on the project go to www.storybag.com.au.

In 2010 Going Down Swinging turns 30 years old, and to celebrate the journal is producing a special anniversary 30th edition. GDS No.30 will be launched in a series of fantastic performance events in August and September, in Australia and New Zealand. GDS No.30 will feature new poetry, short fiction, comic art, and spoken word from around the world in a bumper book / CD edition. GDS is now calling for submissions of poetry, short fiction / non-fiction, flash, comic art, haiku and haiga, and spoken word recordings. Head to the GDS website: to download the Guidelines and Cover Sheets and send in your work, to be a part of GDS history. Submissions for this issue will close on 31st March.

The Dungog Film Festival is one of the most vibrant and unique film festivals in the country. Set in the tiny historic NSW town of Dungog, the four-day non-competitive annual event is now the biggest festival of Australian film content in the world. The Dungog Film Festival In The Raw live script read program is a key festival event, which has attracted an impressive list of writers including Fiona Seres (Love My Way) Dave Warner (Garage Days) and Julia Leigh (The Hunter). Leigh's 2008 In The Raw script Sleeping Beauty was recently financed by Screen Australia and is set for production in 2010. In the Raw is more than just reading the scripts aloud, it is an intimate workshop environment for writer-producer teams to put their projects to the test in front of leading industry professionals and public. This is an opportunity to see what's working, and what's not and have a real audience provide valuable feedback. The 4th Dungog Film Festival In The Raw program is calling for submissions of unproduced feature, miniseries and TV series scripts by Australian nationals. Selected scripts will receive $9,000 (approx.) in script development support to perform the script live for audiences at the 2010 Festival. To enter, simply visit http://www.dungogfilmfestival.org/film-entry/ and download an In The Raw entry form. Dungog Film Festival is on the NSW Master Events Calendar and is proudly supported by Events NSW and Screen NSW.

For more information and entry guidelines visit: www.dungogfilmfestival.org or email: info@dungogfilmfestival.org. DEADLINE: Monday 1 March 2010

Entry to the sixth annual Australian Book Review Poetry Prize is now open. First place prize money is $4000, and shortlisted poems receive $250 each. Poets must reside in Australia or be Australian citizens living overseas. Each entry must be a single poem of no more than 100 lines. Multiple entries are permitted, and all poems will be judged anonymously. A shortlist comprising a maximum of six poems will be announced and those poems published in the March 2010 issue of ABR. The winner will be announced in the April 2010 issue. Entry forms available from the ABR website. Entries close on 1 December 2009.

Okay there is no time to rest as competitions are coming in thick and fast: 2009 Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize for New and Emerging Poets, sponsored by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation. The major prize is $3000, with two minor prizes of $500. Closing date is Monday 7 December 2009. It's an award specifically designed to encourage new poets and new poems. You can find out more information about how to enter on the Overland website and here is the link - http://web.overland.org.au/?page_id=1549

The Black Dog Institute is a not-for-profit, educational, research, clinical and community-oriented facility offering specialist expertise in depression and bipolar disorder. Black Dog has launched its annual Writing Competition with the focus on Late Onset Depression: Finding Answers for Older People and their Carers. The 2009/10 competition invites entries from the Australasian region. Prizes will be awarded for the three best essay entries. Essays are to be no more than 1500 words. First Place: $2000; Second Place $1000 and Third Place $500. The closing date is 31 December, 2009. Participants are required to complete an application form and forward, where possible, an electronic copy of their essay to blackdog@blackdog.org.au plus an original copy of the essay on A4 paper (paper clip/not stapled) by post, addressed to: Black Dog Institute Writing Competition, Black Dog Institute, Hospital Road Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, 2031. To obtain an application form: Download from the Institute's website www.blackdoginstitute.org.au or call (02) 9382 4523. In view of the nature of the competition, the Institute will also accept hand-written entries.

This day is aimed at the professional development of regionally-based writers, poets, critics, publishers, storytellers, songwriters performers, artists, family history groups, library staff, community groups and anyone interested in exploring their options for writing, publishing, marketing, performing and networking in regional areas and beyond. Join those with similar interests to discuss working across distance and isolation, storytelling, crossing the digital divide and writing for young people. The cost of the workshop is $25 including morning tea and lunch. Places are limited so please register before Tuesday 1 December. From 9.30am to 4.45pm on Thursday 3 December at Macquarie Regional Library, cnr Talbragar and Macquarie Sts, Dubbo. For further information please contact Kerry Ellen at Orana Arts: Phone 02 6817 8705, Email kellen@oranaarts.com