The closing date is fast approaching for any promising women writers in Australia, with the 2019 Estelle Pinney Short Story Competition coming up. Organised by the Society of Women Writers QLD, the competition honours esteemed member and former patron of the Society, Estelle Pinney.
Growing up in Cairns in the tobacco town of Mareeba North Queensland, Estelle left school at the age of thirteen and began working in her grandfather’s photographic studio as a colourist. Pinney’s life was eventful to say the least, embarking on an array of occupations throughout her life. She began working as an ambulance driver for the US army during World War II, then as a beauty consultant, and finally as a registered deckhand on her husband’s cray fishing boat in the Torres Strait. In her later years she authored two books, receiving critical acclaim across Australia. In 1995 she authored Time Out for Living, A Net Full of Honey in 1996, then co-authored Too Many Spears in 1998 with her late husband Peter. Living in Brisbane, she has worked tirelessly for the organisation, thus receiving commemoration through this reward.
The writing competition is open to Australian women writers over the age of 18 years, with submissions of short stories not exceeding 1500 words accepted. First prize starts at $350, with second place taking $150, and third place $75. With the closing date being 31 July, all aspiring female writers are encouraged to apply to see their hard work celebrated.
If you enjoyed this story, please read our piece on Archibald Prize Winner Tessa Mackay.
