Frequently Asked Questions

The Competition
Judging
Publication

The Competition

How many times can I enter?

You are allowed to enter one piece of work per competition. Additional entries received will unfortunately be disqualified.

Can I write a story/poem with my friend?

We ask that each entry is written by only one author. Co-written entries can often cause problems with the judging.

Can my story be more than 500 words, or my poem more than 16 lines?

The story/poem must not exceed the specified word limit. Please also remember to count every single word, such as "it", "and" and "the". However, you do not have to count the title.

Working to a word limit is a part of what you are being judged on. It is a skill to show you can construct your story to a specified length. Also, we receive so many entries that if they exceeded the word count, our judges would not be able to read through the entries in the timeframe they have been allocated for the competition.

How do I get my entry to you?

The best way for everyone to enter is online! Your entry is sent to us automatically and you will receive verification immediately that your entry has been accepted. Entering online also ensures that we have all of the details that we need to process your entry.

However, you may also enter the competition by:

Australian Entries

Mail:
Write4Fun
PO Box 8041
Bundall Queensland 9726
Australia

Email: enter@write4fun.net

Fax: (07) 5574 3644

Does my entry have to be typed?

We do prefer that the story is typed, but if you are unable to type it, then we will accept the entry in very neat handwriting.

Can I copy my entry from a movie/video that I have seen?

You are legally not allowed to copy anything. Copying the work of another person is called plagiarising and it is against the law.

Judging

How will I find out if I've won?

1st-5th winners in the short story competition and 1st place in the poetry competition and their schools will be notified by mail upon completion of the competition. All grand finalists in the competition will also be notified by mail. If you have not heard anything and are interested in finding out who the winners are, you can view our online winners' list for the competition here. Alternatively, you can send in a self addressed, stamped envelope, and a copy of the winners' list will be sent to you.

How many divisions of Judging are there in the competition and what are the entries judged on?

Art
There is only one division of judging for the art competition, the winners are as follows:

1 x First Prize
15 x Second Prizes
64 x Third Prizes

Short Stories
The judging is separated into two categories, a high school division, and a primary school division. There are 1st to 5th and 15 finalists in each division.

Poetry
There is only one division of judging for the poetry competition, the winners are as follows:

1 x First Prize
15 x Second Prizes
64 x Third Prizes

Combined Short Story & Poetry
There is two divisions of judging in the combined poetry/short story competitions - one for poetry and one for short stories. The winners are as follows:

1 x First Prize in each division
10 x Second Prizes in each division
39 x Third Prizes in each division

All entries are rated on originality, creative expression, style and theme. Our Primary division criteria heavily concentrates on theme and what the writer is trying to convey more so than correct grammatic expression. Whereas the High School Division's criteria is a lot stricter in this regard. Although judging for the poetry entries is over the one division. The judges do take into account the entrants age and the poetic form applied. Notice is also given to how well the underlying message is conveyed. You can also view winning entries.

Who is responsible for the judging of the competition?

Initial judging is completed by our editorial staff. They choose the entries that will continue in the competition and those worthy for publication. The final judge is an English Co-ordinator, Art Teacher or Principal from a school who has not entered the competition. The identity of the final judge is not disclosed until the competition has been finalised.

Will I earn extra marks for drawings or creativity that I include with my entry?

Your work is purely judged on the story or poem itself. Judges do not mark on presentation. If you want to include pictures, photos, borders, or fancy headings, please make sure that the text of your work is clear and easy to read. Similarly, descriptions included with artwork entries will not be taken into consideration when judged.

Publication

Do I have to include my photo and dedication in the book? Can I just have one and not the other?

It is entirely up to you to decide whether or not you wish to include your photo and dedication. However, it does liven up your work and is a great idea if the book is purchased as a gift. You can include your photo only without a dedication or vice versa but unfortunately there is no reduction to the fee. We have found that the scanning/typing, final typesetting and layout take a similar amount of time whether you have both included or just the one.

If I receive a letter to say that my writing is of good enough quality to be published, do I have to buy a book? Does everyone get this letter?

Not all students who enter the competition are given the option of being published. If they are unsuccessful in receiving an offer, they are sent a thank you letter and a Certificate of Participation. You are under no obligation to purchase a book. If you choose not to be published, please be assured that your place in the competition will not be affected.

How long does it take for the books to be released, after we have ordered one?

When you order a copy of the book, it is purchased as a 'pre-publication' special, which means that the book has not yet been printed. It can take up to approximately 20 weeks before you will receive your book.

Can I buy these books at my local bookstore?

The easiest and most cost effective way to purchase a book is to respond to our order form, visit our website or telephone our office. However, if you wanted to purchase a book through a bookstore, you simply need to quote the ISBN Number.

Where can I view copies of your previous books?

Copies of all of our books are donated to State Libraries in Australia and New Zealand, and more recently America. We also donate copies to a number of local and community libraries. Following is a few of the libraries where copies of our books can be viewed:

AUSTRALIA
Location	Name of Library	Address
QLD	State Library of Queensland	PO Box 3488, South Brisbane, QLD, 4011 Phone: (07) 3840 7756
	Queensland Parliamentary Library	Parliament House, George & Alice Streets, Brisbane,QLD, 4000 Phone: (07) 3406 7199
	Brisbane City Council Library	Flr 14, Brisbane Admin Centre, 69 Ann Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4006 Phone: (07) 3403 9416
	Gold Coast City Council Library	PO Box 8435, Bundall, QLD, 9726 Phone: (07) 5578 0211
NSW	State Library of New South Wales	Level 10, Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000 Phone: (02) 9273 1414
NSW	City of Sydney Library	GPO Box 1591, Sydney, NSW, 2001 Phone: (02) 9265 9665
SA	State Library of South Australia	North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000 Phone: (08) 8207 7200
SA	City of Adelaide Public Library	GPO Box 419, Adelaide, SA, 5001 Phone: (08) 8203-7203
NT	State Library of Northern Territory	PO Box 42, Darwin, NT, 0801 Phone: (08) 8999-7177
NT	Darwin City Council Library	PO Box 84, Darwin, NT, 0801 Phone: (08) 8982-2563
WA	State Library of Western Australia	Alexander Library Building, Perth Cultural Centre, WA, 6000 Phone: (08) 9427-3111
WA	City of Perth Library	Law Chambers Building, 573 Hay Street, Perth, WA, 6001 Phone: (08) 9461-3581
VIC	State Library of Victoria	328 Swanston St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000 Phone: (03) 8664-7000
VIC	Port Phillip Library Service	150 Carlisle St, St Kilda, VIC, 3182 Phone: (03) 9209-6460
ACT	National Library of Australia	Parkes Place, Canberra, ACT, 2600 Phone: (02) 6262-1266
TAS	State Library of Tasmania	91 Murray Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000 Phone: (03) 6233-7502
NEW ZEALAND
NI	National Library of New Zealand	70 Moelsworth St, Wellington Phone: (04) 474-3063
	Central City Library	44-46 Lorne Street, Auckland Phone: (09) 377-0209
	Hamilton Public Library	Private Bag 3010, Hamilton Phone: (07) 838-6699
AMERICA
CA	Los Angeles Public Library	630 West Fifth Street, Los Angeles CA 90071 Phone: (213) 228-7000
CA	San Diego Public Libraries	820 E St, San Diego CA 92101 Phone: (619) 236-5800
FL	Fort Lauderdale Library	1300 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale FL 33304 Phone: (954) 765-4263
NY	New York Public Library	2085 Honeywell Ave, Bronx NY 10460 Phone: (718) 367 5376
	New York Public Library	2550 Victory Blvd, Staten Island NY 13014 Phone: (718) 494 1642
	William K. Sanford Library	629 Albany Shaker Road, Albany NY 12211 Phone: (518) 458 9274
OH	Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County	4980 Glenway Ave, Cincinnati OH 45238 Phone: (513) 369-4460
PA	Free Library of Philadelphia	2851 Island Road, Philadelphia PA 19153 Phone: (215) 685-4170
TX	Bracewell Public Library	10115 Kleckley Drive, Houston TX 77075 Phone: (713) 948-9052
TX	Fort Worth Public Library	300 Taylor Street, Fort Worth TX 76102 Phone: (817) 871-7703
NH	Boscawen Branch Library	73 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03303 Phone: (603) 753-8576
WI	Public Library Youth Department	32 Sheboygan Street, Fond Du Lac WI 54935 Phone: (920) 929-7083
NJ	Library Free Public Clifton	292 Paiget Avenue, Clifton NJ 07011 Phone: (973) 772-5500
IN	St. Joseph County Public Library Main Library	304 S Main Street, South Bend IL 46601 Phone: (574) 280-2764
IL	City of Chicago Public Library	1743 W 47th Street, Chicago IL 60609 Phone: (312) 747-8367
GA	Waycross Ware County Public Library	401 Lee Avenue Waycross GA 31501 Phone: (912) 287-4978
AZ	Yuma County Library District	11279 Glenwood Ave Yuma AZ 85367 Phone: (928) 342-1640
MI	Adrian Public Library	143 East Maumee St, Adrian MI 49221 Phone: (517) 265-2265
CT	Milford Woodmont Borough Public Library	16 Dixon Street Milford CT 06460 Phone: (203) 874-5675
RI	East Smithfield Public Library	50 Esmond Street, Smithfield RI 02917 Phone: (401) 231-5150
HI	Hawaii Kai Public Library	249 Lunalilo Home Rd, Honolulu HI 96825 Phone: (808) 397-5833
VA	Arlington County Libraries Central	1015 North Quincy St, Arlington VA 22201 Phone: (703) 228-5990
MO	Rock Hill Public Library	9620 Manchester Road Saint Louis MO 63119 Phone: (314) 962-4723
WA	Des Moines Library	21620 11th Ave S Des Moines WA 98198 Phone: (206) 824-6066
MD	Baltimore County Public Library	320 York Road, Towson MD 21204 Phone: (410) 296-8575
LA	Amelia Branch Library	625 Lake Palourde Rd, Morgan City LA 70380 Phone: (985) 631-2262
MA	Billerica Public Library	15 Concord Rd, Billerica MA 01821 Phone: (978) 671-0948
NC	Wake County Libraries	200 Horizon Drive Raleigh NC 27615 Phone: (919) 870-4000

Should you have any other questions, we are more than happy to help. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

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