**CURRENT CALLS**

SPECIAL ISSUE AND CONTEST: AUSTRALIA
Deadline: February 29, 2012 *Extended to March 16, 2012

Co-sponsored by Tashmadada and The Writers Conversation
Contest judged by Lee Gutkind and Leah Kaminsky

Creative Nonfiction, in association with Tashmadada, seeks new essays for a special “Australia” issue.

We’re looking for a variety of perspectives—from locals, expats, tourists, or anyone else—and will consider essays of all forms and focuses as long as Australia’s landscape, people, and/or culture are prominently featured; the stories are true; and submissions are previously unpublished.

Essays must be vivid and dramatic. Writing should combine a strong and compelling narrative with a significant element of research or information, and reach for some universal or deeper meaning. We’re looking for well-written prose, rich with detail and a distinctive voice. Essays must be 4,000 words maximum and submitted by February 29, 2012 March 16, 2012

The Writers Conversation is sponsoring two cash prizes:

$6,500 (AUD) for Best Essay
All writers and submissions, regardless of country of origin, will be considered for this prize.
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$2,500 (AUD) for Best Essay by an emerging Australian Writer
Only submitters who are current citizens or permanent residents of the Commonwealth of Australia will be considered for this prize. The same writer/essay may not win both prizes.

There is a $20 reading fee; multiple entries are welcome ($20/essay); and entries from outside the U.S. are encouraged.

All submitters have the option to include a 4-issue subscription to Creative Nonfiction with their reading fee; up-charges vary and depend on mailing address and postage rates.

For this contest, we are accepting electronic submissions only. To submit please click the appropriate link below:

Reading fee plus a 4-issue subscription:
to the U.S. ($25 USD)
to Canada ($45 USD)
to anywhere else in the world ($60 USD)

Reading fee only ($20 USD)

There will be only two contest winners, but all submissions will be considered by the judges for inclusion in Creative Nonfiction #46, which will be launched at the 2012 Melbourne Writers Festival.

Visit the website: http://www.creativenonfiction.org/thejournal/submittocnf.htm#Australia