The Pearl Prize Submissions

Submissions for The Pearl Prize 2025 are now closed

Writers of new original unpublished works are invited to submit proposals. Fifteen finalists will be selected and have their works published in a book, The Pearl Prize 2025 is available to purchase during Midsumma Festival 2025. The panel will decide the finalists through a selection criteria process and then vote on the winner of The Pearl Prize 2025. The finalists will be announced online late 2024. During Midsumma Festival 2025, there will be an Award Presentation event, a Bookshop Launch of the book, an Author Meet-and-greet, a Book Signing event and an Evening Panel event.

Each finalist receives a copy of the book, and the achievement that comes with being a published writer.

Through your stories:

Join us in crafting a festival that not only showcases the richness of individual narratives and art forms but also celebrates our potential to overcome division by standing together—perhaps, intriguingly, by acknowledging our differences. Through the celebration of writing, let's redefine what it means to be united in an era where the rules of engagement are ever-changing.

Submissions for The Pearl Prize 2025 are now closed

Queer Themes. It is important that your work incorporates an exploration of queer themes. Discuss through language the way you wish to express and explore: Queerness beyond the ML and AI in (A) ARTifical space.

Structure of language and sophisticated level of craft. Clever use of formulation in writing. Creative writing is a sense of freedom so run with this… let your queer bloom.

Queerness beyond the ML and AI in (A) ARTifical space

The Pearl Prize 2025 is stretching into the parameters of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) by presenting stories about contemporary, past or futuristic possibilities of humans finding connection between the machine mechanisms of the created and us and the nuances in relationships within the Queer realm.

So what can be explored; +Queerness beyond the ML and AI in (A) ARTificial space.

Suddenly AI and ML are around us more than ever before. Think about how in day-to-day lives we are living with technology. AI in its most simplest form, emails, to algorithms that set up the next TikTok star, to online games, and interactive mediums. From how we used technology and the evolution of an online workplace during the pandemic. How at that time we shared connectedness through the screen; to the queerest online parties from one living room to the next, shared together through cocktails and drag. Through the screen-based digitalised evolution of queer culture inside and beyond. From fashion designers using technology to shift surfaces on models as they strut the catwalk using Adobe. As Queers, we shine in many areas of creativity, but also through the use of technology as one way of describing, creating and sharing our own stories.

How does the online and digital world translate into ‘real life’ and how does this reflect on our collective identities? The future of humanity may be technology-driven, but where does this place the traditional notions of togetherness and what does unity mean today in the digital age?

Audience appeal

When writing, take inspiration from a wide berth of the world around you. Think about your work appealing to a wide audience of readers. Your story, too, can be incredibly important and give insight into writing that needs to be told.

Authenticity

It is essential that the work is original and guided by the writer into a realm of literary integrity. We are eager to uncover original, unique and authentic stories. The panel will be looking for works that clearly communicate engaging stories or captivating commentary upon current or historical events. The writing must respond to the theme: Queerness beyond the ML and AI in (A) ARTifical space.

Submissions for The Pearl Prize 2025 are now closed

Respond to The Pearl Prize 2025 theme: Queerness beyond the ML and AI in (A) ARTifical space:

• Up to 1500 words written in any form of prose and/or poetry.
• Must be an unpublished new original work.
• Must not be submitted, or in consideration, to any publishing agent or outside publisher.
• Entries are welcome from people who identify as GSD (Gender and sexually diverse) as well as allies.
• Entrant must be over the age of 18.
• Must be written by the writer submitting the work.
• The $15 entry fee must be paid on the Osborne and Fawkner Publishing website on the same day that the entry is submitted via email. 
• Please note entries close: 11.59pm Friday 25 October 2024 Australian Eastern Standard Time.
• The online payment process through Osborne and Fawkner Publishing does not guarantee being a selected finalist, as this is a competition. A headshot of the writer is required for publicity purposes when accepted as a finalist. On being selected as a finalist, you must sign a contract stating that this is original work and written by the person submitting the work.
• One entry per entrant.
• If selected as a finalist, the individual permits the publisher to publish the submitted work and put to print in subsequent print editions in the future.
• The writer (entrant) owns the copyright of their work. No further royalties will be paid to the finalist.
• The panel's decision is final.
• The entrant must adhere to the T&Cs: Finer Conditions of Entry.

Submissions for The Pearl Prize 2025 are now closed

Your entry must be submitted by paying a $15 entry fee to Osborne and Fawkner Publishing then submitting your work as a PDF document via email to [email protected]. 

STEP 1: Pay Entry Fee

Pay your $15 entry fee online on the Osborne and Fawkner Publishing website. You will be emailed a receipt that will include an Order Number.

*Please note: the entry fee paid to Osborne and Fawkner Publishing to enter this literary award does not guarantee selection.

STEP 2: Prepare your PDF document

Include a cover page at the start of your submission that includes information that is needed to contact you if need be, and to communicate with you respectfully.

Your cover page should include:

• Name: Your full name
• Phone: Contact phone number
• Pronouns: e.g. she/her or she/they or they/them
• Postcode
• Order number: you'll find this in the email you will have received after paying your entry fee in step 1.

Save your submission as a PDF document named according to the format: Title of manuscript _First Name_ Last Name (e.g. A Year of Great Hope_Marianne_Blanchfield.pdf).

*If your submission contains language other than English, you must include at the end of your entry a page entitled Translation Page, which includes a full translation of the non English words.

STEP 3: Submit your entry via email to [email protected] 

• Subject: Pearl Prize Entry 2025_ First Name _Last Name 
• Attached PDF Document: Attach the PDF document containing your submission, named in the format: Title of manuscript _First Name_ Last Name

ENTRY CHECKLIST

1. Pay entry Fee: $15
2. Receive email receipt
3. Prepare PDF document including: Cover Page + your writing submission + Translation Page (if appropriate)
4. Email your entry

The Finer conditions detail that all writers must adhere to:

1. An original, independent work.
2. Completely incorporates on a creative queer perspective the theme (A) ARTificial space.
3. Submitted no later than 11:59pm Friday 25 October 2024 Australian Eastern Standard Time.
4. Entrant must be over the age of 18.
5. Writer, if selected as a finalist, permits publisher to publish their work in the publication of The Pearl Prize 2025. And put to print in subsequent editions in the future.
6. Writer owns the copyright of their work. No further royalties will be paid to finalist. The Entrant understands that if selected there is accomplishment in the fact. 
7. Up to 1500 words written in any form of prose and/or poetry. 1500 word count is final and if word count is in excess, entry is deemed invalid. Submitted digitally ONLY via email. The Entry must be submitted in A4 Format as a PDF, Times New Roman Font, Font Size 14. The submission must be written as a readable document with no altering to formation, shape, size of text in a visual way. 
8. All Entrants pay $15 entry fee to Osborne and Fawkner. Entry does not guarantee being a finalist as this is a competition. The Entrant understands that the $15 AUD entrant fee is used in the production costs associated with producing The Pearl Prize. And paying the entry fee is mandatory to participate in the process of selection. Entry does not guarantee selection. The entrant understands that this is an opportunity to submit work for possible selection. 
9. Does not include names of individuals known or public figures without consent within manuscript.
10. Entries are welcome from people who identify as GSD (Gender and sexually diverse) as well as allies living in Australia.
11. Written in English; but can have parts (100 words in total) in multiple languages (in which case a translation page, 1 extra page of translation of non-English segments, must be included). Translation page is not part of the writing manuscript. Non English words must adhere to the guidelines outlined in this document or deemed invalid entries.
12. Free from any claims, including copyright or trademark claims, by other parties.
13. Unpublished. No appearance online, such as on a blog or in an anthology, that constitutes prior publication. In no way awaiting correspondence as a submission to other publisher or award outside The Pearl Prize. 
14. Entry not submitted for publication or broadcast elsewhere or entered into any other. No discussion of entry (i.e. podcast, television, radio, recording device) to the public prior to award entry and The Pearl Prize 2025 finalists announcements.
15. After this award submission period is complete and finalists announced, the writer, if not a finalist, is free to submit their entry elsewhere.
16. All entries must follow the online registration and submission process on time.
17. No more than one entry per entrant may be submitted. It is the responsibility of the writer to make sure that no more than one entry is submitted in total.
18. Entrants warrant that their prize submission is original, entirely their own work, does not infringe any existing copyright, moral rights or any other rights of any third party and contains nothing obscene, slanderous, racist, prejudicial, chauvinistic, misogynistic, libellous, unlawful, defamatory or LGBTQIA+ phobic.
19. By submitting an entry, finalists and winner agree to make themselves available for public relations activities at a reasonable request wherever possible (e.g. book signing, meet-and-greet events). Bookstore appearances are strongly encouraged and show commitment.
20. Finalists and winner agree to give an interview that may be recorded, and/or assist in the production of a follow up article in each case that may be published and made available to the public during Midsumma Festival 2025.
21. The entrant’s name, biography and image may be used in marketing and publicity materials and any announcements, publications and communication relating to the award.
22. Any entries considered to be of an offensive nature may be rejected by the panel.
23. In all matters relating to judging of the competition, the decision of the panel is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
24. Entries must include all requested contact details to be eligible to win.
25. Entrants may only enter in their own name/preferred name. But must use legal last name.
26. Incomprehensible, illegible, and incomplete entries will be deemed invalid.
27. Entrants are responsible for their entry being submitted on time with all required content, or will be deemed invalid.
28. The award criteria is a democratic process assessed by a panel. Assessing quality in craft, relation to theme, originality and interpretation of: Queerness beyond the ML and AI in (A) ARTificial space. Decision of Panel and Publisher is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
29. On becoming a finalist, writers agree to signing a contract which states their work is original and free of any copyright infringements. And the writer will provide promotional information which includes headshot, and a short writer biography.
30. Finalists will be notified in October 2024.
31. Once Entrant has submitted an entry, the Entrant cannot withdraw the entry, make changes to the entry, discuss their entry to any of the judging panel, participating staff or publisher.
32. Entrant understands and will accept finalists announced online in November 2024.
33. The Writer, if a finalist, understands their work will be published in The Pearl Prize 2025 to be presented at a book launch and award presentation during Midsumma Festival 2025 and mentioned in printed material related to the event.
34. The entrant warrants that, as of the date of this Agreement and at all times during the Term they have the right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement on signing the contract if their piece is selected.