This is a fantastic opportunity for any interested in the writing industry with plenty of exposure for emerging writers and photographers.

With entries closing on March 31, we are opening up our "Upclose" feature page.

With the page dedicated to inspiring people, places and events, we are looking for new and emerging writers to take up and the pen and tell us what is inspiring for you.

Competition entries can be between 600 and 800 words and focus on just about any inspiring person place or event from from just about any historical period!

We are looking for gems—the people, places and events that catch our eye and make us want to know more.

Entries to the Glen Innes Examiner’s “Get Inspired” Youth Inspire writing competition can be submitted throughout the month of March, with close of submissions at 5pm on Monday March 31.

Senior (Years 10 to 12 students) winners will be published in the Examiner’s Tuesday, April 8, edition—just in time for the 2014 Youth Inspire Day to be held at the Glen Innes Showground—while the junior (years 7 to 9) winner will be published in the Examiner’s April 15 edition.

If you are feeling stuck, pull out your old Examiner copies and see the Upclose features in our Tuesday editions for inspiration. Examples could include “An interview with Queen Victoria”, “A closer look at the 1936 Olympics” or “My family tree”.

First prize in both the seniors and juniors division is a $50 voucher valid at the local TSG, The Shop in Glen store, formerly Video Ezy. Runner up in both the seniors and juniors divisions will receive a complimentary ticket to a movie of their choice at the Chapel Cinema.

Highly commended entries will be uploaded to our website, gleninnesexaminer.com.au, with links to our Facebook page and plenty of local coverage and industry experience for emerging writers and photographers.

Full entry details:

• Always write in third person (avoid first and second person pronouns “I” and “we”)

• Write objectively and formally with use of proper Australian grammar.

• All photos must be originals and/or have permission to be published.

• Organise your information for flow and accuracy. Capture your reader’s attention in the opening paragraphs and wrap it up neatly at the end.

• Use short, punchy sentences that will keep your readers reading.

• Capitalise Letters Only When Necessary. This should only be in proper titles (e.g. Mahatma Gandhi) and places.

• Don’t condense or abbrev. etc. etc.

• No unnecessary exclamation points!! Or questions? As a journalist you present the information to your readers, rather than ask them questions.

• Avoid clichés like the plague.

• All entries should be submitted via email to the Glen Innes Examiner (simon.mccarthy@fairfaxmedia.com.au) in 11pt Times New Roman word processing with 1.5 line spacing or submitted in hard copy, by the same requirements, to the Examiner office on Bourke Street by close of business on March 31.

• All submitted photos must be in large Jpeg (.jpg) format, 1.5Mb or larger, including captions with full names and photographer credits.