Creative Writing Entries

Closing date for entries

30 May 2026

Closing dates for creative writing texts

30 May 2026

Grade 3 to Grade 12

Only professional writers will be adjudicating the work.

The stories and poems of the winners will be published on this website.

1. Download the entry form below and save on your computer

2. Complete an entry form for each writer and email to celia@3gi.co.za before the closing date

3. Pay entry fee before closing date

4. Send in creative writing text with the proof of payment before closing date

Please note, the Pierneefteater Art Festival will not refund cancellations as is the status quo with all other art festivals

R100 per written text

(Only electronic payments will be accepted)

Pierneefteater Jeugfees
ABSA cheque account
Account number: 921 563 2201
Branch: Ben Swartstraat
Reference: Name and surname
Email proof of payment with written text to celia@3gi.co.za

1. The work should be typed and sent, along with the proof of payment, to skryf@pierneefkunstefees.co.za before or on 30 May 2025

2. A scanned copy of the declaration at the bottom of the entry form should be attached to each of your creative writing texts

Creative Writing Sections

Poetry

You may enrol any Afrikaans, English or Bilingual poem of any length

 

Note that Poetry contains certain specific elements:

Please do not confuse poetry with mere rhymes. A rhyme follows the rhyming pattern’s sound and one does it spontaneously without thinking very hard about the meaning of the word. Proper poetry contains feelings and metaphors. You may compare your feelings with the smell of perfumes. You should describe the experience and your observations with original imagery and poignant words. Your poem may have a rhyme pattern or you may write a free verse.

Short Short Story

Write an Afrikaans, English or Bilingual story no longer than four A4 pages

Prose / Story

Write an Afrikaans, English or Bilingual story no longer than 10 A4 pages

 

Note Short stories and stories consist of different elements

An idea or concept or message that you would like to give to the reader as a take-away.

A main character and sub-characters with different characteristic, serving a different purpose in the story.

Dialogue displaying the characteristics of the speakers and their relationships.

A sensual description of the time and place of when and where the story takes place.

A dream or wish or motivation driving the main character to want something, be something, will or do something.

Someone, the antagonist, who opposes the main character (the protagonist).

A series of events depicting the struggle of the main character to reach his or her dream.

A climax where the main character is landing in a great mess.

A series of events leading the character out of the trouble or danger.

A satisfying end to the story which could be a cliff-hanger ending, leaving the reader with questions to think about, or a positive or negative conclusion to the story.

Experimental Writing
It may be that you are much more comfortable writing jokes, children stories, comic strips, essays, lyrics of songs…or perhaps, monologues, dialogues, plays or movie scripts.

If you have something weird and wonderful to share, send it in under Experimental writing.