Quills and Ink is an initiative by James Hooke intended to raise the status of reading and writing. The aim of Quills and Ink is to inspire and encourage creative writing in our community, so we’re welcoming entries across all genres - prose, poetry, plays, essays, even song lyrics from all ages.
With $1,200 in prize money to be won, grab your quill and let your voice be heard.
About
Sponsors
In memory of Leone Hooke
In memory of Joyce Buswell
In memory of Louise Stewart-Scott
Key Dates
Entries open - Friday 20 February 2026
Entries close - Sunday 26 April 2026 11 pm
Winners announcement - Saturday 13 June
Gloucester Gallery
25 Denison St Gloucester
Doors open at 2 pm for a 2.30 pm announcement.
Conditions
All genres accepted eg plays, prose, songs, drama, essay, poetry
Maximum number of words - 2000
All ages encouraged to enter
Entries should be submitted in English, using one side of A4 paper, typed double-spaced (except poetry) in a standard typeface (12 pt min.), using generous margins. No fancy fonts, clip art or decorations of any kind.
File type: PDF
File name: the title of your work only.
NO NAMES OR ADDRESSES TO APPEAR ON MANUSCRIPTS. Title and page number (ONLY) of the entry should appear on each page of the manuscript.
The entries will be judged on originality, creativity and writing skill. The judges decision is final.
We cannot return submitted manuscripts, keep a copy for your records.
Entries must be original work and must not have won a cash prize in any other competition nor been published in any form, as at the closing date of the competition.
Entries may be entered in more than one competition at the time of entry HOWEVER the entry must be withdrawn from any subsequent competitions if the writer is advised prior to the closing dates that the entry was successful elsewhere with a cash prize.
Copyright remains with the author. Please mark on the entry form if you do not want your entry to be made public.
Cost $5
Entries must be received no later than 11pm on Sunday 26 April 2026
Complete the online entry form below, once this has been submitted, email your entries to quills@artsgloucester.org
Submit your Entry
Our Judges
Alison Gorman
Alison Gorman is a poet and teacher who lives between the Northern Beaches of Sydney and a cattle farm near Gloucester. Her work has been widely published and shortlisted for major Australian and international poetry prizes. Her debut poetry collection ‘A Woman Talks to Her Tongue’ was published in 2025. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Sydney and teaches creative writing to children through Inkling Writing Studio, which she founded in 2018.
Michael Duffy
Michael is a former editor and publisher and founder of the BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival. On moving to the Blue Mountains he decided to write a series of crime novels that would reflect the unique character of our towns and landscape, and the effect they have on people. “Country affects character,” he says, “just like it affects wine. I want to write crime novels in which the people and places –- and the weather! - are as important as the crimes.”
Tess Nolan
Tess Nolan is an English teacher, librarian, and mum of three. She loves the powerful impact of stories on young people, loves to read, and when time permits, loves to write.