About Writing

Our Annual Short Story Competition for 2026 is now open for entries!

Please read all instructions before submitting an Entry.

Entries must be between 1500 words and a maximum of 2500 words.

Deadline: 5pm AEST, Friday, 30 October 2026

When two publishing professionals told me they always asked writers to tell them the story of how they came to write their story, a light bulb went off for me. I have always wondered what drew me to character-driven commercial fiction. Looking back now, I can see the clues were there all along.

Listed are upcoming competitions that you might like to enter. They are listed by submission closing date, not when the competition is open.

Please read all instructions and entry requirements.

Writing is not like dancing or modeling; it’s not something where, if you missed it by age 19, you’re finished. It’s never too late. In fact, your writing often gets better as you grow older and wiser.

For many writers, the journey from manuscript to publication feels like uncharted territory. The challenge isn’t just writing a great book—it’s understanding where your work fits, how to pitch it effectively, and what to expect from publishers. 

The publishing world can be opaque, but knowledge is power.

Congratulations to our Prize Winners and to all those who entered.

We were thrilled with both the quality and number of entries we received.

There are a number of writing courses out there. What makes the Writers’ Studio different?

There’s an old writing saying: You can’t be taught how to write, but you can learn.