Rural Women's Words

Rural Women’s Words is a storytelling program inviting women from regional, rural, and remote NSW to share their experiences raw, real and unfiltered. Whether it's a moment that shaped you, a challenge you overcame, or a reflection on everyday life, your voice matters.

Illustration of a woman with blonde hair and glasses, wearing a purple sweater, holding a cup and writing in a notebook. Text reads "Rural Women’s Words" on a light purple background.

About Rural Women's Words

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or simply someone with a story to tell, Rural Women’s Words invites you to share personal reflections, poetry or short creative pieces. Selected stories are published on with excerpts featured in our newsletter giving your words the platform they deserve.

This program is a celebration of everyday women who are brave enough to put pen to paper and generous enough to share their world with us.

Women's Words Submissions

A black helicopter on the ground next to fodder

The Chopper

By Anne Connolly, Dunbogan NSW

Local Gossip

By Gabrielle Journey Jones, Djiringanj Country, Bega Valley NSW

Submission Guidelines

We’re so excited you’re considering contributing to Rural Women’s Words! Here’s what you need to know before submitting:

Format:

Length: 500–750 words for stories or non-fiction; max one page for poetry
Language: English only
Include your name, entry title, email, and town/area of residence
Submit in a Word document using 12pt Calibri font

Content Requirements:

Must reflect the experiences of women in regional, rural, or remote NSW
We welcome entries from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, culturally and linguistically diverse women, LGBTQI women, women with disability, and women of all backgrounds
No promotional material or inappropriate language
Content warnings should be provided if relevant
Submissions must be original, unpublished, and not about real people without their consent

Submitting:

Email entries to: ruralwomensnetwork@tco.nsw.gov.au
You can submit multiple entries — just send each one separately
Must be 18 or older and a subscriber to the Rural Women’s Network newsletter