Young writers are being handed a fresh page and a prompt – and they come with a twist of mystery.
The 18th annual Mayor's Writing Competition is now open and Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher is inviting the shire's budding authors to explore the theme 'Lost and found'.
"We want young people to tell their story, their way – whether that's something funny, heartfelt, or completely unexpected," says the Mayor
"Budding writers need to back themselves, use their own voice, and see where it takes them. There's so much noise out there telling people how they should sound. This is the opposite and I cannot wait to see what they've lost, what they've found, and what they've dreamed up in between."
Administered by Eurobodalla Libraries, the competition has become something of a local institution, drawing a flood of entries each year and attracting short stories, poems, essays, and everything in between including song lyrics or graphic novels. Entries are judged on originality, imagination and a willingness to take the theme and run with it.
Eurobodalla Libraries coordinator Skye Stapleton says the story doesn't end there.
"Thanks to support of Bendigo Bank Batemans Bay, there's a refreshed line-up of prizes and finalists will see their work published in the annual Mayor's Writing Competition Anthology," Ms Stapleton says.
"The overall winner receives the Syd Hayes Creative Writing Award, a beautiful, handcrafted pen by local artist Richard Turvery – what a fitting tool for whatever comes next. Their school also hosts the perpetual shield for a year, so there's bragging rights involved too."
