DOWNLOAD Competition Reference Sheet 2026 PDF
Competition Information – Be In To Win!
Entering our competitions is beneficial for members for a variety of reasons. Our competitions provide a challenge and motivate writers to learn and improve their craft. Often the topics and genres provide an opportunity to try something new. Contestants receive individual feedback from our experienced judges.
Please note that in the past, our judges published their critiques for first, second and third place winning entries in The Christian Writer magazine, but now critiques are emailed privately to each contestant and only the judges’ general comments for each level are published.
Points are allocated to Level One, Two and Three place-getters in every magazine. Points earned are: 15 points for first, 12 points for second and 9 points for third.
In Levels One and Two, every six months contestants’ points are added up so prizes for first, second and third can be awarded in each level. The monetary prizes awarded mid-year and at the end of the year are $60 for First Place, $50 for Second Place and $40 for Third place. Currently, Level Three points are only added up at the end of the year after twelve months work but from 2023, Level Three will be transitioning to the same six-month competition points and rewards system as Levels One and Two (for full details, scroll down to view our updated Prizes and Promotion Criteria).
Entries are judged on the following:
- Entering, Format and Layout 15% (these requirements are on the inside, final page of the magazine).
- Requirements 25% (pay attention to the instruction details for the topic you’ve been assigned).
- Creativity, flow and impact 25% (test your entry by reading it aloud).
- Grammar and Punctuation 25% (study examples from good publishers; computers and proofreaders can help too).
- Spelling 10% (a dictionary is an essential tool for a writer).
Contestants must be current members of NZCW and 16 years or over. The idea is to earn your way from Level One in steps up to Level Three.
To be promoted by the judges to the next level, a contestant must achieve at least three placings and consistently supply quality entries. Entries must demonstrate the contestant has been learning from the critiques and improving over a period of time. Level Three end of year overall monetary first prize winners qualify to become a Judge’s Assistant which means they are invited to train to become a Competition Judge for NZ Christian Writers.
Competition topics are on the inside final page of the magazine and on our downloadable Competition Reference Sheet 2024 which lets you know the topics for the entire year. Pick a topic and have a go!
COMPETITION COORDINATOR:
Debbie McDermott: level1 [AT] nzchristianwriters.org
COMPETITION JUDGES:
Level 1: Debbie McDermott: level1 [AT] nzchristianwriters.org
Level 2: Shirley Jamieson: level2 [AT] nzchristianwriters.org
Level 3: Julia Martin: level3 [AT] nzchristianwriters.org
WHICH LEVEL DO I ENTER?
Level 1: For new members and all other members who haven’t competed enough to be promoted to Level 2. Age limit: 16 years old or over.
Level 2: For the members who have been promoted by the judges from Level 1. Age limit: 16 years old or over.
Level 3: For members who have been promoted by the judges from Level 2 plus members on the Honours List. Age limit: 16 years old or over.
Entries are to be the sole work of the writer and no collaboration is allowed.
If you’re not sure which Level you are on, please contact the Competition Coordinator, Debbie McDermott, at: level1 [AT] nzchristianwriters.org
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL ENTRANTS AT ALL LEVELS:
All entrants must be a Paid Member of NZ Christian Writers
There is a prize of: $60 for 1st Place, $50 for 2nd Place, and $40 for 3rd Place.
FORMATTING, ENTRY GUIDELINES & CRITERIA:
Email entry as an attachment, complete with Word Count and your Name
Font: Arial, 10 pt. Heading: Bold Title Case, 18 pt. Line spacing: Multiple 1.2
Paragraph Spacing: 6 pt. Paragraph Indentation: None. Alignment: Justified.
Wordcount: Do NOT include titles, footnotes or bibliographies in the wordcount (unless informed otherwise) and ensure main content is no more than 5% above or below the wordcount. Maximum wordcounts must not be exceeded at all.
Send a photo of yourself for publishing purposes.
EMAILING YOUR ENTRY:
Your entry should be emailed to the competition judge as a Microsoft or Open Office Word document attachment, complete with word count, your name and your locality, by the 1st of the month prior to the magazine’s publication date. Only one entry per entrant is allowed in any given issue of the magazine.
PRIZES & PROMOTION CRITERIA:
Level 1 contestants who achieve overall 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in the first three competitions of the year will be promoted up to Level 2. Level 2 contestants who achieve overall 1st or 2nd place in the first three competitions of the year will be promoted up to Level 3. Level 3 contestants who achieve overall 1st place in the first three AND the last three competitions of the year will be promoted to the Honours List. At the end of the first three competitions of the year, all contestants go back to zero points for the final three competitions of the year and the process of working towards being promoted to the next level begins again. There will be a mid-year and end-of-year awarding of certificates and prizes in the form of gift vouchers to overall Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 winners. To be promoted to Level 2 or 3, contestants must receive points at least three times on their current Level. The judges also require regular entries plus improved writing.
COMPETITIONS 2026
LEVEL ONE – Email entry to Debbie McDermott at: level1 [AT] nzchristianwriters.org
FEBRUARY – due January 1st
It is New Year’s Eve and the clock is about to strike midnight when something
unexpected happens. Writing in the first person point of view, describe the event in detail
and in a manner that keeps the reader in suspense until the end of the story. (500 words).
APRIL – due March 1st
After Jesus died on the cross, we are told that ‘the earth shook, the rocks split… The
bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life’ (Matthew 27:51-52 NIV).
Pretend you are one of these resurrected ones—who may or may not have met Jesus—
and describe this experience and the impact it has on you. (450 words maximum)
JUNE – due May 1st
Research and write a mini biography on the life and death of a Christian who was martyred
during the Renaissance period (15th and 16th centuries AD). Include a brief bibliography
comprising only three references. At least 80% of the biography must be in your own words,
so ensure you keep citations to a minimum. (500 words, excluding the bibliography)
AUGUST – due July 1st
Write a positive review of your favourite book or movie, detailing how it impacted you
and why you recommend it to others. The title of your review should read: ‘Review of
[Name of Book or Movie]’ and the subtitle should read: ‘Written or Produced by [Name
of Author or Producer] in [Year]. (400 words, excluding the title and subtitle)
OCTOBER – due September 1st
Using non-rhyming, free verse techniques and contemporary language, write a modern psalm
that focuses on the goodness and majesty of God. Make sure you give your psalm an
appropriate title. (35 lines maximum)
DECEMBER – due November 1st
Beginning with a Bible verse, write a Christmas devotion. Include a short testimony (yours
or someone else’s), showing how this scripture can be applied to our lives. Conclude with a
brief two-line prayer, which may be written in prose or as a poem. (350 words)
LEVEL TWO – Email entry to Shirley Jamieson at: level2 [AT] nzchristianwriters.org
FEBRUARY – due January 1st
Tell a story about a pet you have or have had. Include humour. (450 words)
APRIL – due March 1st
Psalm 16:10-11 is a prophecy of Jesus’ resurrection. Write an email to a non-believing friend
who is grieving the loss of a Christian loved one. Quoting parts of the verses, explain how
Jesus’ resurrection fulfils them. Show sympathy and understanding, and avoiding preaching,
tell from personal experience that Jesus is the path to life. (500 words)
JUNE – due May 1st
Write a letter to the editor of a secular newspaper regarding a current issue. Use a Biblical
perspective. (250 words)
AUGUST – due July 1st
Choose a well-known nursery rhyme and write a modern 21st century version of it,
choosing an inventive title. Quote the original rhyme underneath your own version.
(maximum of 25 lines total)
OCTOBER – due September 1st
Research and write an essay on why you believe the creation account in the Bible and
not in evolution. (500 words)
DECEMBER – due November 1st
What is your favourite well-known Christmas carol? Explain why it is meaningful to you.
(300 words)
LEVEL THREE – Email entry to Julia Martin at: level3 [AT] nzchristianwriters.org
FEBRUARY – due January 1st
Write an opinion piece for your local secular newspaper on a current social or moral
issue, giving a Christian perspective on the topic without preaching. (300 words
maximum)
APRIL – due March 1st
You have been asked to present a tribute at a funeral service. Write out your speech about
the deceased who may have been known to you or be entirely fictional. Use humour if
appropriate. (350 words)
JUNE – due May 1st
Choose an Old Testament character who you either admire or despise. Write a
character study of this person and explain why you feel this way, and what lessons can
be learned from their example. Back up your reasons with scripture. (400 words)
AUGUST – due July 1st
A young friend or relative has decided to abandon the Christian faith. Write a sensitive
letter outlining reasons why you believe this is an unwise thing to do. (300 words)
OCTOBER – due September 1st
Write the script for a children’s picture book (suitable for 5-9 years-old), outlining God’s
design for human beings, marriage and sexuality to counter woke literature creeping
into our schools and libraries. Maximum of 24 pages and 400 words or less. Insert a line
space where each page ends. Some pages may have illustrations only.
DECEMBER – due November 1st
Beginning with the statement: ‘A car pulled up outside. There was a loud knock on the
front door. “Oh no…who could it be at this time of night?”’, write a thrilling short story
that ends with a twist. (400 words maximum)