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Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition 2025

Braille House is the proud custodian of Australia’s only braille writing competition. We are thrilled to open the competition for submissions for the 104th year.

The competition provides a unique oppourtunity for people with low or no vision to tell their stories and to share their talents with others.

You can learn more about the history of the Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition here:  The History of the Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition

This year's theme: Discovery

Key Dates

  • Entries Close: Friday the 19th of September 2025 at 4pm
  • Judging Period: Friday the 19th of September 2025 to Monday the 20th of October 2025
  • Announcement of Winners: Friday the 24th of October 2025

Guidelines for Entries

Word Limits

  • Adults and Senior Students: Up to 2000 words
  • Junior Students: Up to 1500 words

Age Requirement (at Entries Close date)

  • Adults: Over 18 years
  • Senior Students: 13-17 years
  • Junior Students: 12 years or under

Format of Submission

Submissions should be in hard-copy Braille, a Word document, Simbraille or a Duxbury-readable file.

Categories

  1. Adult Short Story
  2. Adult Poem or Song Lyrics or Limerick
  3. Adult Article or Opinion Piece e.g. self-reflection, blog
  4. Senior Student Creative Writing e.g. story, poem, song lyrics, limerick, blog
  5. Junior Student Creative Writing e.g. story, poem, song lyrics, limerick, blog
  6. People’s Choice Creative Writing eg. story, poem, song lyrics, limerick, blog (all entries will be published online for the public to vote)

Eligibility

  • Categories 1-5: A participant must be a resident of Australia who is either legally blind or has low or no vision.
  • Category 6: Open to all Australian residents.

Prizes

  • First prize per Category: $350 for first prize in each category
  • Second price per Category: $150 for second prize in each category

Entry Fees

  • $10 per entry

How to pay your Entry Fee

  • Pay by Cheque: Cheques and money orders are to be made payable to QBWA (or Queensland Braille Writing Association).
  • Pay by Credit Card: Credit card payments can be made by contacting Braille House by telephone on 07 3848 5257.
  • Pay by Direct Deposit: For direct deposit please use BSB: 034-033 Account: 20-2253 with the Title of Entry as the reference.

Rules

  1. All entries must be accompanied by an official, completed and signed entry form or be submitted by the online form.
  2. Multiple entries are allowed. One cheque, money order or credit card payment is acceptable to cover multiple entries by one writer.
  3. Manuscripts must be original, unpublished work prepared by the author, not on offer for publication before announcement of Awards and not have been recognised in any other competition.
  4. Print copy or electronic submissions must be double spaced for A4 paper. Preferred font 12 point.
  5. Hard copy Braille entries must be single spaced on braille paper.
  6. Manuscripts will not be returned but responsibly destroyed after the Awards. Entrants should keep a copy of their work. Copyright remains with the author.
  7. Posted entries must be postmarked by the due date. Late entries will not be considered.
  8. The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
  9. Details of results and presentation of prizes will be announced on Braille House website and in writing to the winners.
  10. Braille House reserves the right to publish the winning and second place entries in its In-Touch Braille Magazine and in a Winner’s publication should Braille House choose to publish one.

How to Enter

Online

Please use the form below.

By Post

The Competition Receiving Officer
Braille House
PO Box 610
Annerley
Qld 4103

By Email

Email your entry to [email protected] - please include the category, number of words and the title of your entry.

Enter Online

Please note - A separate entry form must be submitted for each entry.

Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition 2025
Your Details
Please include your suburb, state and post code.
Entry Details
Upload Entry This is a required field.
Submissions should be a Word document, Simbraille or a Duxbury-readable file.
Submit Your Entry
Declaration
Declaration
Pay Entry Fee

Entry fees:

After you have submitted your entry, please pay your entry fee:

  • Adults and Senior Students: $10 per entry
  • Junior students: $5 per entry
  • People’s Choice: $10 per entry for all entrants

How to pay your entry fee:

  • Cheques and money orders are to be made payable to QBWA (or Queensland Braille Writing Association).
  • Credit card payments can be made by contacting Braille House by telephone on 07 3848 5257.
  • For direct deposit please use BSB: 034-033 Account: 20-2253 with the Title of Entry as the reference.
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