What If story competition for young people

October 2023

We are challenging young people to write creatively to express their thoughts, ideas and imaginations about the social, political, technological, environmental issues that impact their lives and their futures.

Use your imaginations to write and explore a ‘What if?’ scenario and take us on a journey of the impact of a change, event, or invention. Your piece could show us how global issues are impacting young people currently, or you might take us to a future where events, decisions, inventions have altered life as we know it. Use your imaginations to write and explore a ‘What if?’ scenario and take us on a journey of the impact of a change, event, or invention. Your piece could show us how global issues are impacting young people currently, or you might take us to a future where events, decisions, inventions have altered life as we know it. Your piece should include a real or imagined connection to the City of Unley through setting, lifestyle, characters etc.

 

Categories

Ages 12 - 14 years - Short story or beginning of a longer story or screenplay - up to 1000 words

1st Prize: Books and gift vouchers $100 ($50 Dymocks, $25 Haighs Chocolates, $25 BigW)

2nd Prize: Books and gift vouchers $50 ($50 Dymocks)

 

 Ages 15 - 18 years- Short story or beginning of a longer story or screenplay - up to 3000 words 

1st Prize: Books and gift vouchers $200 ($100 Dymocks, $50 Haighs Chocolates, $50 BigW)

2nd Prize: Books and gift vouchers $100 ($50 Dymocks, $25 Haighs Chocolates, $25 BigW)

 

Competition rules/conditions

  • The What If? Writing Competition for Young People 2023 is being run by the City of Unley, 181 Unley Road, Unley. 
  • The work must be submitted online at unley.sa.gov.au by COB Friday 24 November 2023. 
  • Only one entry per person per category will be accepted. 
  • No responsibility will be accepted for late, misdirected entries or entries sent but not received by The City of Unley. 
  • All applications will be assessed against the following criteria: 
    • Theme: Writing touches on the impact of global issues such as climate 
    • change, equity, technological advancements, etc. on young people in an
    • original and creative way.
    • Connection to Unley: Writing includes a real or imagined connection to
    • the City of Unley, through setting, lifestyle, characters etc. 
    • Writing style: Story is logical and interesting, characters are believable.
  • Story writing applications will be assessed by a panel of City of Unley staff and Elected Members. 
  • Feedback for unsuccessful applicants will not be provided. 
  • City of Unley staff and family are ineligible to enter. 
  • Non-residents of SA are ineligible to apply. 
  • The work must be original, and the work of the entrant. 
  • By entering the competition you give permission for City of Unley to publish your entry, including for promotion, in print or on the web (Details of the competition entrants will not be published without permission. Please enter an author/artist’s pseudonym if you would prefer another name for publication). 
  • Winners will be announced Friday 15 December 2023. 
  • If the winners do not claim their prize by 31 January 2024, the prize is forfeited without compensation, and will be awarded to the next runner up. 

 

Entries are now closed.

Keep an eye on the website for the winners

 

Click here to view form.

Back to top