Entries in each of the four competition categories - short story, open poetry, bush poetry and the ABC Central West Radio children’s writing awards - are to be received via post by this Friday. 

Orange City Librarian Jasmine Vidler said the competition remains popular in its 24th year.

“We’ve got about the same amount of entries in each of the four categories as in previous years, which is interesting because that hasn’t happen before,” Ms Vidler said. 

“This is a promising sign for the competition.”

Ms Vidler encouraged people to put the finishing touches on their entries as it was not too late to be in the running for significant cash prizes. 

“Entries post-marked with the date of the 17th of April will be accepted,” Ms Vidler said. 

First prize is $1000, second $400 and third $200 for the short story and open poetry categories. 

In the bush poetry category, prizes will be $500 for first, $200 for second and $100 for third. 

The prizes for the children’s writing awards are first prize $200, second and third $100 each. Entries in this category must be the unaided work of the entrant, aged up to 16 years.

Boomers Books co-owner Marcus Richards and poet Diana Brooks will read through the hundreds before the winning entries are announced in late June. 

Entry forms are available at the Central West Libraries website: www.cwl.nsw.gov.au. 

ashlea.pritchard@fairfaxmedia.com.au