**ENTRIES NOW OPEN**
No experience necessary – just a passion for music
In 2016, we launched our inaugural CutCommon Young Writer of the Year Competition to celebrate the value in Australian arts journalism. This year, we’re back – and we want to showcase your talent across our national platform.
As 2017 CutCommon Young Writer of the Year, you will receive:
- The opportunity to be profiled in a feature story on CutCommon
- Your writing featured across all areas of the publication (including blogs, interviews, live and/or CD reviews) throughout CutCommon Young Writers’ Month this August
- Professional editing and guidance on your submitted folio with CutCommon Editor Stephanie Eslake and Deputy Editor Lucy Rash
- Industry mentoring session (via Skype) with leading arts broadcast producer and podcaster Ben Nielsen
- CutCommon prize pack featuring our original design manuscript and a two-year subscription for you and a friend (runners-up receive a one-year subscription for you and a friend)
So how can you get involved to be our next winning writer?
To enter, we’re after your written response to the following topic (minimum 400 words):
The future of classical music in Australia is in our hands. Are your likes and interests reflected in the performances you see or perform? How should a concert be programmed? Are we teaching young people in the right way? Is there a right way, given music is still not compulsory in some schools across Australia?
We want to know what you think. Classical music: what’s in it for young people?
Enter the 2017 CutCommon Young Writer of the Year Competition by sending your CV, blog response, and phone number to editor@cutcommon.com before midnight, 20 July 2017.
The winner will be contacted and must accept the award between 26-31 July, ready for announcement on CutCommon this 1 August.
Judges of the 2017 CutCommon Young Writer of the Year Competition include:
– CutCommon Deputy Editor Lucy Rash
– CutCommon Founding Editor Stephanie Eslake
– 2016 CutCommon Young Writer of the Year Myles Oakey
Words from our 2016 winner Myles Oakey 
“As 2016 CutCommon Young Writer of the Year, I knew I had been offered a rare opportunity to see my writing published and read by people across the Australian arts scene. What I didn’t realise was how much I would learn from and be inspired by the incredible performers, composers, and curators who I’ve had the pleasure of sharing ideas with. Over that past year, the invaluable mentorship of Founder and Editor Stephanie Eslake and Deputy Editor Lucy Rash has helped me to develop a personal shape and style to my writing that has extended my skills and voice as an arts journalist. In the challenge of writing blogs, interviews, feature articles, live concert reviews, and CD reviews I have accumulated a portfolio of work I can be proud of, and a platform to go forward as an emerging writer.”
Conditions of entry:
- You must be an Australian resident aged 18-30 years to enter. No experience required, just a passion for music and writing
- The finalist must be available to participate in CutCommon mentoring programs including correspondence with our editorial team, which may take place via Skype or email
- Stories in the categories mentioned will be prepared through CutCommon Young Writers’ Month in August, with negotiable deadlines for publication
- Your written entry and all other contributions must be your own work
- The winner and runners-up may have their competition entry published throughout CutCommon Young Writers’ Month
- All judging decisions are final
- Regular CutCommon team members are ineligible to apply. Does this mean you?
- CutCommon reserves the right not to award a winner in the case that entries are unsatisfactory or inappropriate
About our industry mentor partner Ben Nielsen
Melbourne arts broadcaster, podcaster, and writer Ben Nielsen serves the classical music community through his work with ABC Classic FM, and as a former contributor to CutCommon and Limelight Magazine. In addition to his significant work in the arts, Ben creates content for The Pinnacle Foundation to support LGBTQIA+ youths. Ben’s successful new podcast LGBTI[Q&A] explores ‘conversations with leaders, who happen to be queer’. www.bennielsen.net
About CutCommon
Founded in 2014, CutCommon (cutcommonmag.com) is an independently run classical and new music magazine with a passion for exposing talent. We aim to rebrand classical music in Australia. With our stories read more than 14,000 times each month, our street press publication is the number one source of information for young makers and lovers of classical music across the nation. Together, we can change the way we think about, discuss, and consume classical music in Australia. CutCommon was shortlisted for the 2017 Classical:NEXT Innovation Award, placing it in the top 10 classical music projects across the globe.
We look forward to reading your entry in the 2017 CutCommon Young Writer of the Year Competition.
Good luck!
Images supplied. Featured credit David Joyce via Flickr CC2.0