“The peculiarity of being a writer is that the entire enterprise involves the mortal humiliation of seeing one's own words in print.” ― Joan Didion

Our developing culture is forged through the arts. History is documented and shaped through the written word. More so than ever, our words matter.

It is a sad fact that Australian authors earn less from their books on average than they would on a welfare pension. 70 per cent rely on their partner’s income or earn a living doing another job in order to financially survive. And, in Australia, two thirds of authors are women. More than 80 per cent of these women have attended university or have a postgraduate degree and yet, they earned an average of just $18,200 a year from their writing.

If we are to sustain our creative industries and continue to nourish our culture, the literary contributions of under-recognised groups needs greater exposure – and significantly more opportunities shared, read and spotlighted. The power of storytelling is more important than ever.

As a platform for creative minds, RUSSH seeks to be a vehicle for unique and original creation. We are proud to introduce our 2025 Literary Showcase, a space for under-recognised Australian writers – established, emerging and aspiring – to be supported in their dream to write and be read. In championing literature by under-recognised groups and profiling authors, poets, screenwriters and journalists, we dream to lead a dialogue that forms a diverse and supportive community with a love of the library.

After the success of our inaugural Literary Showcase in 2024, we have expanded the showcase for our second year, with a month-long period for entries and judging.

We are calling out for all aspiring and emerging writers to enter a piece of their work to be considered by a panel of leaders within the field. A shortlist of 20 finalists will be selected by our panellists and featured on RUSSH.com. From these, three winners will be selected:

• Judges' Choice winner, selected by our industry panellists
• Readers' Choice winner, selected by popular vote by our readers
• Editor's Commendation winner, selected by RUSSH Editor-in-Chief Jess Blanch.

Each of these three winners will have their work featured in print in the May issue of RUSSH Magazine.

Who can submit?

The RUSSH Literary Showcase is open to emerging and established Australian writers of all ages who identify as women, or as belonging to an under-recognised group.

When do submissions open and close?

Submissions will open on Tuesday 4 February 2025, and will close on Tuesday 4 March 2025 at midnight AEDT. T&Cs apply.

When will finalists be selected?

Judging will commence on Wednesday 5 March 2025, and the 20 selected finalists who are eligible for the Readers' Choice will be announced on RUSSH.com on Tuesday 1 April 2025. T&Cs apply.

How will voting work for Reader's Choice?

Voting by the general public on finalist submissions will open on Tuesday 1 April 2025 and close on 15 April strictly at 7pm AEST. T&Cs apply.

When and where will winners be announced?

Our Judges' Choice winner, Reader's Choice winner and Editor's Commendation winner will be announced in our May issue of RUSSH on sale Thursday 15 May 2025.

Each of the three winners will be contacted by RUSSH individually before publication in print, and will also receive a profile on RUSSH.com after publication. Because the competition results are confidential until the magazine is released, only the winners will be notified before the on-sale date.

What kind of writing can I submit?

Entrants can submit a short fiction, screenplay, poetry, essay or feature in accordance with the following word counts:

• Essays, features and narratives: 2000–3000 words
• Poetry: 800–1200 words
• Screenplays: 1000–3000 words.

What will entries be judged on?

Entries will be judged on: 

• their originality in concept and story 
• their use of form and style 
• their creativity, tone and how engaging the piece is. 

Please make sure your work is submitted in PDF form. You can submit your work on our submissions page.

What is the prize?

In addition to a feature in the May issue of RUSSH and an author profile on RUSSH.com, the following prizes will be awarded:

Judges' Choice winner:

• Writers residency (location to be confirmed).
• RUSSH writers fellowship for remainder of 2025 , which includes at least $5,000 in paid writing commissions at RUSSH.

Readers' Choice winner:

• Mentorship with a published author and advocate.

Editor's Commendation winner:

• Mentorship with a published author and advocate.

Have you got further questions?

If you have further questions about the submission process or competition details, email [email protected].

This project has been made possible by CHANEL.

CHANEL is committed to continuing the artistic patronage initiated by Gabrielle Chanel. Gabrielle Chanel was never without books. They added to her life; they filled her life. It was from literature that she undoubtedly drew the strength to accomplish her work as a designer. It was literature that undoubtedly drove her to invent an allure that is eternal yet inscribed in perpetual modernity.