Are you a writer?

Australian writers are invited to give voice to the most vulnerable amongst us in a new writing prize established by Voiceless, the animal protection institute.

The Voiceless Writing Prize sponsored by Australian Ethical Investment is one of the most lucrative short story and non-fiction competitions in Australia, awarding a total prize pool of over $20,000.

The Prize is designed to advance public understanding of animal sentience, human – animal relationships and the ethical treatment of animals.

Open to Australian citizens 18 and over, the Prize invites fiction and non-fiction pieces of 5-10,000 words, published or unpublished. Entries must focus on animals produced for food or found in the Australian environment.

A collection of the best pieces will be published by Publishing Partner on the Prize, Allen & Unwin, as a book and an e-book in 2012.

"There is a rich world literature which takes animals - their feelings, wishes and desires - seriously. As of this year, Voiceless will be awarding a prize to recognise the best Australian short fiction and non-fiction that has at it's heart the place of animals in the world we have made."
J. M. Coetzee            

The winner chosen by the judging panel will receive $15,000, while the public will vote for the People’s Choice to receive $5,000. Voiceless Councillor Deborah Debnam together with Peter Debnam have generously sponsored the People’s Choice for 2012, 2013, and 2014. All writers published in the collection will receive $500.

Voiceless thanks The Sydney Morning Herald for its support as Media Partner on the Prize.

Entries close 16 March 2012.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the growing public conversation on our sentient others, make your literary mark, and win a significant cash prize.
More information and submission details will be available soon from Allen & Unwin.

[source: http://www.voiceless.org.au/Grants/Misc/The_Voiceless_Writing_Prize_sponsored_by_Australian_Ethical_Investment.html]