CQUniversity's Idiom23 magazine is again encouraging emerging writers to enter their short story and poetry competition - and have extended the closing date until 24 July 2009. 

This year's Bauhinia Literary Awards are not only targeting regional and national writers, but are looking for entries from primary, secondary and tertiary students across Australia. 

Australearn has joined Idiom 23's competition sponsors and will support a new category for International Tertiary Students studying in New Zealand and Australia.

The magazine usually receives about 600 entries each year, with winning stories and poetry printed in the following publication of Idiom 23.

Sponsors have donated $2000 prize money to the competition this year. These include CQUniBookshop, Anderson Consulting Engineers, PRD Nationwide Yeppoon, The Yellow Door Bookshop, The Waterline Café at Keppel Bay, Criterion Hotel Motel and Australearn.

"There has already been much interest in this competition", editor Dr Liz Huf said this week.

Students and writers can go to the magazine's website (http://www.idiom23.cqu.edu.au/) for further details or contact Dr Huf (0749232573) or Dr Lynda Hawryluk on (07 49232009).

Entry forms can also be obtained from the CQUniBookshop and The Yellow Door Bookshop.