The Pearl Prize 2025
 

Entries have closed for The Pearl Prize 2025

About The Pearl Prize 2025: Writers Award
The Pearl Prize is presented with Osborne and Fawkner Publishing and supported by Midsumma Festival. A writing award where Queer writers have a platform of self-expression through the writing landscape and into publication.
Writers can submit writing in any form of prose or poetry to a literary panel and begin their journey in the Australian writing scene. 15 finalists will be selected and published and the winner of The Pearl Prize announced during Midsumma Festival 2025. The publication will be released during Midsumma Festival and available to purchase.

The pearl prize and what the meaning of Pearl is; quite simply the pearl in the oyster and romantic connotations in queer life and love since inception.

The Pearl Prize is symbolic of all LGBTQIA people from all backgrounds, walks of life in love and support. We stand for the rights of all LGBTQIA individuals and acknowledge all peoples throughout history and in the present who support and stand for the freedoms of everybody.



The theme for 2025 is:

Queerness beyond the ML and AI in (A) ARTificial space.
The Winner of The Pearl Prize will receive a gift which includes a cash payment, to set their typewriter tapping.

$500

There will also be a Highly Commended awarded to a Writer of merit, which includes a cash payment.

$300

The Pearl Prize will be presented during Midsumma Festival 2025. The Award will be presented at The Victorian Pride Centre. A meet-and-greet Event of the Authors will take place at Readings.

And drum roll please... a fantabulous panel evening to shine those pearls....
The Pearl Prize is a unique LGBTQIA+ writing prize part of an Australian premier Queer Festival of arts and culture Midsumma Festival.

Submissions Open: Friday August 23rd
Submissions Close: Friday 25th October 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time

*Please note there is an entry fee (paid to Osborne and Fawkner Publishing) to enter this literary award. Entry does not guarantee selection.


Please Read The Pearl Prize Conditions of Entry first.







THE PEARL PRIZE CONDITIONS OF ENTRY



The Opportunity


Writers of new original unpublished works are invited to submit proposals. 15 finalists will be selected and have their works published in a book, The Pearl Prize 2025 available to purchase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 2025 there will be an Award Presentation Event and a bookshop launch of the book, and Author meet and greet and book signing 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.

*There is no reference to any persons in historical or biographical context, in relation to The Pearl Prize publication name or contents.


Selection Criteria
Queer Themes. It is important that your work incorporates an exploration of queer themes. Discuss through language in the way you wish to express, 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 is 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 setup 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 and one way of describing, creating and sharing are 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.

 

 

(A) ALL Everybody and everyone inclusive.






Audience appeal
When writing take inspiration from a wide berth of the world around you. Think about your work appealing to wide audience of readers. Your story too can be incredibly important and give insight into writing that needs to be told.
Authenticity
This 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 required theme.
Conditions of Entry
Respond to The Pearl Prize 2025 theme.
Up to 1500 words written in any form of prose and/or poetry.
Must be an unpublished new original work.
Not submitted to any publishing agent, outside publisher, or in consideration.
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.
Written by the writer submitting the work.
Submit $15 entry fee; must be paid same day as submission of entry online at Osborne and Fawkner Publishing website.
Please note entries close: Friday 25th October 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time
Payment process through Osborne and Fawkner Publishing Online
Entering does not guarantee being a selected finalist as this is a competition. Headshot of Writer for publicity purposes when accepted as Finalist.
On being selected as a finalist you must sign a contract stating this is original work and written by the person submitting the work.
One entry per entrant.
Individual permits the Publisher, if selected as a finalist, 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 finalist.
Panel decision is final.
Entrant adheres to Finer Conditions of Entry


HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit entries via email to: osborneandfawkner@gmail.com
Submit: PDF document.
Label file: Title of manuscript _First Name_ Last Name Your document must include a cover page.
*Please note there is an entry fee (paid to Osborne and Fawkner Publishing) to enter this literary award. Entry does not guarantee selection.
When emailing entry:
Subject Title: Pearl Prize Entry 2025_ First Name _Last Name
Pay entry fee FIRST and include order number from receipt of payment in cover page with submission when you email your entry. Your receipt is emailed to you once received.

ENTRY CHECKLIST
--Pay entry Fee: $15
--Receive email receipt
--Prepare entry: Cover Page include all details & writing submission as a PDF
--Email Entry.

Cover page needs to include your full name, phone number, pronouns and postcode and order number. This information is needed to contact you if need be, and to communicate to you respectfully.

*If submission contains language other than English you must include at the end of your entry a page title Translation Page, and include a full translation of the non- english words.

Finer conditions detail all writers must adhere to this:
1.An original, independent work.
2 Completely incorporates on a creative queer perspective the theme (A) ARTificial space.
3 Submitted no later than Friday 11.59pm October 25th 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. Entry does not guarantee been 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 (yet include 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 2025.
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 finalists announcements to The Pearl Prize 2025.
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, prejudice, 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. Book signing, meet and greet public. 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 use legal last name.
26. incomprehensible, illegible, and incomplete entries will be deemed invalid.
27. Entrants responsible for their entry being submitted on time with all required content or 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 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 short writer biography.
30. Finalists notified 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.
32Entrant understands and will accept finalist's announced online 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 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 contract if their piece is selected.