We had so many amazing entries this year. By turns enchanting, hilarious, whimsical, poignant, nerve-wracking and beautiful, but all imaginative and delightful to read. Congratulations to everyone who entered. We loved reading every single entry!
Without further ado, the winners of the 2023 Golden Pen Awards were:
JUNIOR
Winner: Violet for ‘The Serendipity Cake and the Miracle Bee’
Runner-up: Lucy for ‘Escape’
Runner-up: Anya for ‘Prisoner of the Desert’
Commended Entry: Olivia for ‘The Goat that Ran for President’
MIDDLE
Winner: Lianne for ‘ My Name is Lenna’
Runner-up: Sue-Ning for ‘Journey to the Dark Abyss’
Runner-up: Laraine for ‘Extra Ordinary’
Commended Entry: Alexander for ‘When I Grow Up’
SENIOR
Winner: Joselyn for ‘Memoirs of the Sea’
Runner-up: Marysia for ‘Electromagnetic Interference’
Runner-up: Zara for ‘On Her Whim’
Commended Entry: Sarah for ‘For The Love Within’
Congratulations everyone! We can’t wait to see what you write next year.
Thank you to our Golden Pen Judges, Jenny, Laura, Daniel and Sharon for helping us select this year’s winners! We also wanted to extend a big thank you to CBH Group, Fremantle Press and Boffins Books for their support of this initiative.
This year we asked you to step out of your comfort zone, take a deep dive into the impossible, soar across the unimaginable and explore the world of Creative Bravery.
Creative bravery is unlimited, and defined only by what it means to YOU! Excite us, encourage us, engage us, enlighten us… and take us on an adventure.
…Is it building the world you want to live in?
…Is it imagining a bold new tomorrow?
…Is it having the courage to imagine the you of the future just the way you have always dreamed it?
…Is it adventure…. Or mystery… discovery…. or overcoming a seemingly insurmountable problem?
Whatever it means for you, this is a call to be courageous, be bold, be the hero of your story, and share with us your journey into the world of creative bravery.
Tips to help and Poster of the competition to print to promote the competition can be found in our Teachers Lounge
• SENIOR CATEGORY: High School Entrants in School Years 9-12
• MIDDLE CATEGORY: High School Entrants in School Years 7-8
• JUNIOR CATEGORY: Primary School Entrants in School Years 4-6
Senior & Middle Categories
Major Prize
One winner from each category will receive:
• Cash prize of $500
• $100 Boffins Books voucher
• Story published on the Scribblers website
• Certificate of achievement
Shortlisted Entrants
Four shortlisted entrants will receive:
• $100 Boffins Books voucher
• Story may be published on the Scribblers website
• Certificate of achievement
Junior Category
Major Prize
One winner from each category will receive:
• Cash prize of $200
• $50 Boffins Books voucher
• Story published on the Scribblers website
• Certificate of achievement
Shortlisted Entrants
Two shortlisted entrants will receive:
• $50 Boffins Books voucher
• Story may be published on the Scribblers website
• Certificate of achievement
View The Golden Pen Terms & Conditions