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- Tasks: Judge creative writing submissions from talented young storytellers across Australia.
- Company: Dymocks is a trusted Australian brand promoting creativity through literature.
- Benefits: Receive Dymocks gift vouchers and enhance your resume with this prestigious role.
- Why this job: Engage with diverse stories and develop your critical reading skills in a national competition.
- Qualifications: Passion for creative writing; experience in writing, tutoring, or literary organisations preferred.
- Other info: This is a remote, unpaid volunteer position running from June to August 2025.
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!
The competition has the biggest prize pool of any youth writing competition in Australia. While this is a volunteer position and does not include payment, as a thank you, you will receive a $5 Dymocks Gift Voucher for each set of 10 stories you judge!
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. You might work with students in an arts/humanities or tutoring organisation, or be active in any organisation or group to do with reading, writing or the arts.
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.
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!
The application process is:
- Apply Now
- 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
For the full terms and conditions of judging, please visit the Dymocks Beyond Words website: Dymocks Beyond Words.
2025 Volunteer Judge Creative Writing Competition - Dymocks (Remote) employer: Dymocks Group
Contact Detail:
Dymocks Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 2025 Volunteer Judge Creative Writing Competition - Dymocks (Remote)
✨Tip Number 1
Engage with local creative writing communities or online forums to connect with like-minded individuals. This can help you gain insights into the judging process and may even lead to recommendations or tips from experienced judges.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the types of stories that have won in previous competitions. Understanding what makes a story stand out can give you an edge when evaluating submissions.
✨Tip Number 3
Consider volunteering for smaller writing competitions or workshops before applying. This experience can enhance your skills and demonstrate your commitment to creative writing, making your application more appealing.
✨Tip Number 4
Make sure to highlight any relevant experience in your application, such as tutoring or involvement in literary magazines. This will show your passion for creative writing and your ability to assess stories critically.
We think you need these skills to ace 2025 Volunteer Judge Creative Writing Competition - Dymocks (Remote)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Resume: Craft a brief resume that highlights your creative writing experiences. Focus on relevant details such as any publication history, experience in tutoring or teaching creative writing workshops, and involvement in student publications or literary magazines.
Show Your Passion: In your application, express your passion for creative writing and storytelling. Mention any personal projects or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to the craft and your enthusiasm for reading and judging others' work.
Follow Application Instructions: Make sure to follow the application instructions carefully. Attach your resume as specified and ensure that you provide all necessary information without overwhelming the reader with excessive detail.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise skills that are relevant to judging stories, such as analytical thinking, attention to detail, and an understanding of narrative structure. This will show that you are well-equipped to evaluate the submissions effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dymocks Group
✨Show Your Passion for Creative Writing
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for creative writing during the interview. Share your personal experiences, whether it's your own writing journey or your involvement in literary communities. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant experience you have in creative writing, tutoring, or working with students. Mention specific projects or roles that showcase your skills and commitment to nurturing young talent in storytelling.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Competition
Research the Beyond Words Creative Writing Competition and understand its goals and values. Being knowledgeable about the competition will allow you to align your answers with what Dymocks is looking for in a volunteer judge.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Judging Criteria
Think about what makes a good story and be prepared to discuss the qualities you would look for when judging submissions. This could include technical aspects, creativity, and emotional impact, which are crucial for this role.
