Two USC Doctor of Creative Arts graduates are about to launch a new writing competition aimed at giving emergent writers the chance to make a name for themselves.

Dr Eileen Herbert-Goodall and Dr Maria Arena have just created Field of Words, a website that will receive short story submissions and publish winning entries online as a way of recognising the work of promising authors.

Starting Monday 2 February, the competition will give writers multiple opportunities to get their works published online.

Dr Arena said Field of Words would accept up to 40 competition entries during the first seven days of each month from February to April.

“The finalists for each month will have their stories posted on our blog, while the winning and runner-up entries will be published on our home page,” she said.

“We'll also announce successful entrants on our Facebook page, which will push their names out into the writing arena.”

Dr Herbert-Goodall said she understood, from personal experience, how difficult it can be to get published.

“This competition will give short story writers a foot up in the industry, while also helping them gain confidence in their abilities,” she said.

“When you’re struggling for recognition as an emerging writer, a little encouragement can go a very long way.”

Pictured are Dr Maria Arena (left) and Dr Eileen Herbert-Goodall (right).

— Kristy Wright