2025 Volunteer Judge Creative Writing Competition - Dymocks (Remote)

DETAILS

We are seeking volunteer readers to assist with the judging process for our Beyond Words Creative Writing Competition!

Beyond Words is a national creative writing competition for primary and secondary students across Australia, run by Dymocks. Students have been challenged to write a short story between 500-1500 words on any theme and in any genre. We are seeking Australia’s most passionate and creative young storytellers!

ABOUT YOU

We are seeking volunteer readers who are experienced in and passionate about creative writing! 

You might be an emerging writer yourself, be undertaking a degree in creative writing or literature, be part of a creative writing organisation, or work for a student publication or literary magazine.

COMMITMENT AND TIME FRAME

Reading will commence on June 5th 2025 and finish by August 15th 2025.

We ask each volunteer to commit to judging a minimum of 3 sets (30 stories in total). Stories will range in length from 500-1500 words. You do not need to write detailed notes on every story you read.

In order to finish the total judging within this time frame, we ask volunteers to take no more than 5 days to judge each set of stories.

GENERAL INFORMATION

You must be located in Australia. This is an unpaid volunteer position however we hope that being associated with such a big national competition run by a trusted Australian brand will be great to put on your resume. By agreeing to volunteer you accept the Volunteer Judge Terms of Engagement (below).

Throughout the judging process you will be exposed to incredible stories from a diverse range of students across Australia and will hone your skills in considering the range of qualities that make up a ‘good story’, including technical command of form, the use of language to shape meaning, and the passion, heart and creativity behind an idea!

1. Apply Now
2. Attach a brief resume that outlines your creative writing experiences. We do not need full detail of your past employment, we are interested in a description of:

• any publication history such as anthologies, literary magazines etc. 
• experience working in tutoring or teaching creative writing workshops
• involvement in student publication or reading/editing for literary magazines 
• completion or enrolment in creative writing courses 
• any other relevant experience in creative writing

VOLUNTEER JUDGES TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT