The Northern Territory Government has today announced the opening of the 2021 Northern Territory Literary Awards.

Now in its 38th year, the Northern Territory Literary Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of Territory writers.

The Awards are part of a special program of annual events at the Northern Territory Library that celebrate the achievements of established and emerging writers, storytellers and prominent Territorians.

Entries are open to all Territory writers in seven different categories and genres.

The official categories for the 2021 Northern Territory Literary Awards are:

• Brown’s Mart Theatre Award - Theatre script with a performance time of more than 30 minutes
• Charles Darwin University Creative Non-Fiction Award- A factually accurate work written with attention to literary style and technique up to 3000 words
• Charles Darwin University Essay Award - A referenced academic essay on a topic relating to the Northern Territory up to 3000 words
• Flash Fiction Award - A blog post, fan fiction, short story, fictional diary entry or fictional letter up to 500 words
• Kath Manzie Youth Award - An original work of short fiction or a single poem by a person aged 12 to 18 years as of 1 January 2021 - up to three poetry entries per person with a 300-line limit or a short story up to 3000 words
• NT Writers’ Centre Poetry Award - A single poem up to 300 lines
• Zip Print Short Story Award - An original work of short fiction up to 3000 words

The 2021 Awards ceremony will be held at Witchetty’s, Araluen Arts Centre on Wednesday 15 September 2021.

Entries close at midnight on Monday 31 May 2021. 

Quotes from Patrick Gregory, Senior Director Library & Archives NT

“I encourage all writers across the NT, from our Red Centre to the Top End, whether experienced wordsmiths or just starting out, to submit their work to the 2021 NT Literary Awards. Winners receive fantastic cash prizes, as well as free memberships and masterclasses with the Northern Territory Writers’ Centre.

“The categories include creative non-fiction, short story, poetry, essay, youth, theatre and flash fiction, with all finalists’ writing published in a booklet.

“We had a terrific field of more than 190 submissions in 2020, and I very much look forward to seeing the creativity and skill of Territory writers on display again in 2021.”

Media contact: Territory Families, Housing and Communities 0427 915 108