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Calling young artists, parents and art teachers the Minds Shine Bright Young Illustratrators' Places Competition is open and calling for paintings and drawings from young artists aged 15 and under until 31…

mindsshinebright.com/2026/03/02/calling-young...

Colour and line drawing to fire imagination Judging is in full swing for the Places Writing Competition and we are looking forward seeing the two anthologies form. Many remarkable places have been brought to life in short stories, poems and micro fiction from near and far. The quality of the writing submitted is high and each piece is precious. Thanks to all the writers and poets who have submitted.

Colour and line drawing to fire imagination

Judging is in full swing for the Places Writing Competition and we are looking forward seeing the two anthologies form. Many remarkable places have been brought to life in short stories, poems and micro fiction from near and far. The quality of the…

2025: A year of reflection when creativity offered hope This month we look at Minds Shine Bright's highlights of 2025, interview author Heather Robinson about her new publication 'Beyond the Books' and why libraries matter, and welcome short story reader Karin Doucett to the Places Writing Competition Judging Panel.

This month we look at Minds Shine Bright's highlights of 2025, interview author Heather Robinson about her new publication, 'Beyond the Books' and welcome Karin Doucett to our judging panel.

How to see community story telling, creative writing and reading In this monthly update Amanda Scotney considers the value of telling stories, writing and reading; interviews writer Kate Foulds; and welcomes back poet Jennifer Harrison to join the judging panel for the Places Writing competition.

This month we discuss the value of community story telling, reading, and writing; interview writer Kate Foulds; and welcome poet Jennifer Harrison back to the judging panel for the Places Writing Competition.

Light and Shadow e book In Light and Shadow read different interpretions of light and shadow from forty three shortlisted writers and poets. Sublimely dark and light with moments of illumination. Light and Shadow  is a comtemporary collection of stories, poems and flash fiction for our times.

Light and Shadow e book

In Light and Shadow read different interpretions of light and shadow from forty three shortlisted writers and poets. Sublimely dark and light with moments of illumination. Light and Shadow  is a comtemporary collection of stories, poems and flash fiction for our times.

Tweaking meaning and meter in a poem – poet in focus Minds Shine Bright Winter Update including: an interview with Light and Shadow contributor and poet in focus, Suzanna Fitzpatrick, being part of a writer's festival, the full LIght and Shadow judges report and more.

The Minds Shine Bright Winter Update is available now. Discover poet Suzanna Fitzpatrick, our first experience of being part of a writer's festival, the full Light and Shadow Judges' Report and more.

Looking forward to the creation of moments of illumination at the “Writing Light and Shadow with Moments of Illumination” workshop, at the Words in Winter Festival in Daylesford on 23 August at Radius Arts. Get tickets here events.humanitix.com/writing-ligh... #Melbourne #workshop #writing #August

On the Light and Shadow of Life This month has been a struggle. A frozen shoulder together with a small increase in eye pressures has meant that there have been many visits to doctors, some discomfort and a restricted capacity for activities that are usually taken for granted. Front of mind as I attend preventative laser treatment is the flash fiction piece Just Black,  by Lans Felby, from 

Please enjoy this July update from Minds Shine Bright with our latest book news and events.

Light and Shadow
Minds Shine Bright
International Creative Writing Anthology
Seasons 2 2025

Light and Shadow Anthology is sublimely dark and light with moments of illumination. Featuring stories and poems by 43 prize winning writers and poets.
ISBN 978-06455231-6-4

Light and Shadow International Creative Writing Anthology is Available Now We are excited to share the news with you Light and Shadow anthology (ISBN 978-06455231-6-4) is launched and is on sale now at the Minds Shine Bright Bookshop or your favourite bookshop. On Saturday we celebrated the launch of Light and Shadow, Minds Shine Bright, International Creative Writing Anthology, Seasons 2, 2025 in St Kilda, the home of Minds Shine Bright and the location of our stunning cover.

Light and Shadow anthology is launched and available now

Melbourne
28 June
12:30 -3:30pm
St Kilda Sports Club
LIGHT & SHADOW BOOK LAUNCH
Readings of stories and poems by local and international writers and poets, author signings, open mic, lunch
Get tix: www.mindsshinebright.com/event-bookings/ or trybooking.com
#auslit #stkildabooklaunch

Places International Creative Writing Competition closes at midnight (wherever you are) on 31 May 2025. #writing #fiction #poetry #stories 📚💙✍️

Poetry turns the everyday into something exquisite and strange Only 30 days to go to enter Minds Shine Bright Places Writing Competition Light and Shadow Minds Shine Bright anthology is coming soon and be inspired by poet Isi Unikowski.

Poetry turns the everyday into something exquisite and strange

Only 30 days to go to enter Minds Shine Bright Places Writing Competition Light and Shadow Minds Shine Bright anthology is coming soon and be inspired by poet Isi Unikowski.

A white fishing boat is moored at a pier on a river at sunset. There are tall dark pines opposite. The water is flat and glassy reflecting orange painted clouds. There is a sense of stillness and peace.

The wonder of discovering new places. This view greeted us as we arrived at the fishing shack where we stayed to explore Port Fairy. I long to return. Tell us stories and poems about your favourite places. For info and to enter Places Writing Competition visit www.mindsshinebright.com #writing

Capture the unique essence of places in captivating stories Capture the unique essence of places creatively and enter the Places Writing Competition. Discover the new Minds Shine Bright book, Light and Shadow, launching in June, enjoy some writing about Places and keep up to date with Minds Shine Bright's monthly news about writers and books.

Places Writing Competition, the Launch of Light and Shadow anthology and all the Minds Shine Bright news about books, writers and literary events.

The town of Clunes was filled with readers, writers, musicians and book vendors over the weekend. There was a strong sense of community and lots of book events, browsing, chatting and wandering.

Setting up for Clunes Booktown Festival on Friday. Clunes a small country town in Victoria, celebrates old and new books with book events, book traders, music and food every year. This was our first visit. 📚📓📖

The curve of a basil leaf— a simple joy. #garden #WritingPrompt #green

A tall waterfall flows down rocks surrounded by huge ferns.

Russell Falls in Tasmania is one of the places I love to go back to. Calling for entries of stories and poems about the places that mean something to you. To learn more and to enter the Places writing competition visit www.mindsshinebright.com
#💙📚📖🖊️

Announcing the Light and Shadow Writing Competition Results The overall winner of the Minds Shine Bright Light and Shadow writing competition was poet Isi Unikowski form Canberra Australia for his poem Bright Square of Morning. The poem is about leaving Melbourne in the morning light. It takes the reader on a journey from the physical world to the universal and stays with you. It is the first time that a poem has been the overall winner of a Minds Shine Bright writing competition.

Announcing the Light and Shadow Writing Competition Results

The overall winner of the Minds Shine Bright Light and Shadow writing competition was poet Isi Unikowski form Canberra Australia for his poem Bright Square of Morning. The poem is about leaving Melbourne in the morning light. It takes the…

Dr Chrlinay Gates owns the copyright to her piece, as do all of our published writers) so permission to reprint will need to come directly from her. I have passed on your message to her.

Hi Tania, we received your message via the Minds Shine Bright website contact form and have passed it on for you. The winning entry ‘Storm Clouds Approaching’ by Dr Chelinay Gates is published in Storm, Minds Shine Bright Seasons 1, 2023 and we would appreciate acknowledgement if republished.

Looking down sand dunes to a long coastal beach, with waves rolling in and a hint of sunset.

Every place has a story. Calling writers from all over the world to share yours about the places you live, the places you love, the places you leave. #Booksky 📚💙 #WritingandBooks #writing #writingprompt #poems #stories #writers

A small bird with a fan like tail with bright blue plumage.

A male superb fairy wren shows off his stunning blue plumage at Pirate Bay, Tasman Peninsula #bird #WritingPrompt #places #blue

Dan Micklethwaite reading from his short story Blackpool Solo YouTube video by Minds Shine Bright

The place is Blackpool, the narrator is UK author Dan Micklethwaite and the story is Blackpool Solo - from Confidence 2 - from the perspective of an outsider, where confidence has receded to a deep low 📚💙 #books youtu.be/jnMWxul37WM?...

Kangaroos resting in the shade

A kangaroo grazing.

A kangaroo keeping watch.

Writing prompt- Places writing comp
The places we love, the places we live the places we leave.

New Year’s Resolution: More reading and writing in 2025 Minds Shine Bright encourages the reading and writing of books. Read our highlights from 2024 and our focuses for 2025. Places writing competition is open and calling for entries.

Check out our 2024 highlights, our plans to encourage more reading and creative writing in 2025 and the new Places writing competition.

Seasons Readings!
Try Confidence Minds Shine Bright anthology 2022 for curated stories and poems that follow the life cycle

Try Confidence 2 to wander through the carnival of life with a rag tag bunch of characters

Try Storms Seasons if you love the power of storms

Books by Minds Shine Bright 📚💙

Our books are available in bookshops and at www.mindsshinebright.com but sometimes we love a grass roots approach.
Meeting people, hearing their stories, and promoting our writers is a real joy.

I love our new bookshop banner too. What do you think of it? 💙📚 #books #reading #confidence #seasons