Listed below are upcoming Short Story competitions and other writing competitions that you might like to enter. They are listed by submission closing date, not when the competition is open.
Please read any instructions and entry requirements on the competition’s own website. Please note: we take no responsibility nor assume liability for any competition listed, it is up to the entrant to undertake due diligence before entering any competition.
If you would like your Short Story or Writing Competition to be listed, please email: competitions@writerstudio.com.au
Romance Writers of Australia
The Romantic Book of the Year (RUBY) is our contest for published novels and novellas by Australian or New Zealand authors. It includes sections for Contemporary, Historical, Suspense, Speculative Fiction, Romantic Elements and Novella.
Romantic novels (40K+) and novellas (10K–40K) which were first published (in digital or print) between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023. Limit of 3 entries per entrant.
Entry fee: $30 inc GST (RWAus members), $50 inc GST (Non-members)
Closing Date: Monday 15 January 2024, 5:00pm (AEDT)
Website: https://romanceaustralia.com/our-contests/
Calibre Essay Prize
Essays of all kinds: personal or political, literary or speculative, traditional or experimental.
Word limit: Between 2,000 and 5,000
Entry fee: $20 Current ABR subscribers
Standard/non-subscribers: $30
Prizes: Winner $10,000
Closing date: 22 January 2024
Website: https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/prizes-programs/calibre-prize/2024
black&write! Writing Fellowships 2024
Two Fellowships for unpublished manuscripts by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers currently living in Australia.
Two winners will each receive:
$15,000 prize money
Editorial development with the black&write! Indigenous editors.
A publication opportunity with Hachette Australia.
Closing Date: 22 January 2024, 11:59PM (AEST)
Geelong Regional Libraries & Deakin University Local Word Writing Prize
Submissions of up to 3000 words are welcome from emerging and established writers in prose fiction and creative nonfiction.
The winner of the prize will receive a cash prize of $2000 and a one-hour mentoring session with a Deakin University writing practitioner. Publication on GRLC’s website and announcement in GRLC’s e-newsletter
Commended writers will receive a cash prize of $250 and publication on GRLC’s website and announcement in GRLC’s e-newsletter
Closing Date: 27 January 2024
Website: https://www.grlc.vic.gov.au/local-word-writers-prize
Story Unlikely’s Annual Short Story Contest
No restrictions on genre: fantasy, sci-fi, memoir, fiction/nonfiction.
Word limit: 4,500 words
Entry fee: free!
Prizes: Winner $750, Second place $500, Third place $250
Closing date: 31 January 2024
Website: https://www.storyunlikely.com/#contest
The Tasmanian Writers’ Prize 2024
Short stories up to 3,000 words having an island, or island-resonant, theme.
Word limit: 3,000 words
Prizes: Winner $500
A selection of the best entries will be published in the Forty South Short Story Anthology 2024.
Closing date: 14 February 2024
Website: https://www.fortysouth.com.au/tasmanian-writers-prize
Mulga Bill Writing Award 2024
Goldfields Libraries and Eaglehawk Festivals Inc. are calling for entries from writers all over Australia for the annual Mulga Bill Writing Award. Writers are encouraged to take inspiration from the theme ‘mystical waters’, and submit a poem (max. 25 lines) or short story (max. 2000 words).
Short story: $500 first prize, $150 second prize
Poetry: $200 first prize, $50 second prize
Entry fee: $5
Closing Date: 23 February, 2024
Website: https://www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/mulgabillwritingaward
Stringybark Open Short Story Awards 2023
1500 words or fewer in length, have a link to Australia in it, and be written for an audience aged 16 and above.
Prizes: An award pool of over $1350 in cash and books
Closing Date: 25 February 2024, 11:59PM (AEST)
Website: https://www.stringybarkstories.net/competitions/open—open-short-story-awards.html
The Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition
The Margery Allingham Short Mystery Prize is for a single, previously unpublished short story of up to 3,500 words by an author aged 18 years or over on 1 January of the competition year.
The entry fee is £18
First Prize of £500
Closing Date: 29 February 2024
Website: https://thecwa.co.uk/awards-and-competitions/margery-allingham-short-mystery-competition-rules/
The SCWC 2024 Poetry Award 2024
The Award is open to submissions of poems up to 50 lines responding to the theme “gentle”, with four prizes to win totalling $1300.
All winning entries will be published in the South Coast Writers Centre’s 2024 Anthology.
The submission fee per poem is $15/$10 for SCWC members.
Closing Date: 5 March 2023
Website: https://southcoastwriters.org/scwc-poetry-award-2024
Ada Cambridge Poetry Prize 2024
Williamstown Literary Festival Ada Cambridge Poetry Prize 2024
Type: Poems may be on any topic.
Word limit: Poems may be in any form, up to 30 lines in length.
Prizes: First Prize $500
Entry fee: $15, maximum of 2 poems.
Open to all writers aged 18+ residing in Victoria, Australia.
Closing date: 8 March 2024 at midnight
Website: https://www.willylitfest.org.au/home/writing-prizes/ada-cambridge-writing-prizes/
Little Black Dress Spooky Story Competition
The theme for 2024 is ‘Don’t Look Up’.
Adults: $10 per entry Youth: Free
YOUTH: Max 500 words, one entry only (Australian residents) ADULT: Max 1,200, unlimited entries (WA residents only)
Closing Date: 13 March 2024
Website: https://www.kspwriterscentre.com/spooky-story-competition
Peter Carey Short Story Awards 2024
Submissions open 29 January. The award is for short stories between 2000 – 3000 words and is open to all Australian residents.
Prizes:
Winning entry receives $2000
Runner-up wins $1000.
First and second prized stories will also be published in the Spring 2024 edition of Meanjin.
Entry fee is $15 per story
Closing Date: 14 March 2024, 6:00PM (AEDT)
The Hope Prize Prize 2024
International short story prize that seeks submissions on the themes of hope, courage and resilience.
Word limit: Submissions are to be between 2,000 and 5,000 words.
Prizes: With a $10,000 AUD first prize and all highly commended submissions published in a Simon & Schuster Australia anthology book. All royalties from the book will support the incredible work of Beyond Blue.
Entry fee: $22 per submission.
Closing date: 22 March 2024
Website: https://www.thehopeprize.com/
Minds Shine Bright Writing Competition 2024
Each entry must be original, unpublished fiction or poetry written by the submitting author and include the theme of Light and Shadow in some way.
Entry Fee: $5
Word limits: Up to 2,500 words per entry
Prizes: Combined $1500 plus shortlisted entries will be published in the second Minds Shine Bright Seasons series anthology Light and Shadow.
Closing Date: 31 March 2024
Website: https://mindsshinebright.com/
Northern Beaches Writers’ Group Competition
Stories up to 2,500 words that are inspired by the theme of ‘GLASS’, along with at least one copyright-free image that reflects and enhances that story.
Stories can be non-fiction, fiction, or fiction inspired by true events. All genres and styles welcome.
Entry fee: $15. Multiple entries welcome.
Prizes: First place ($250 + online publication), Second place ($100 + online publication).
Closing Date: 31 March 2024 5:00PM (AEDT)
Website: http://northernbeacheswritersgroup.com/northern-beaches-writers-competition/
Screencraft True Story & Public Domain Screenplay Competition
This competition focuses on true stories, biographies and works in the public domain (published before 1928). Accepting TV and Feature Scripts!
Grand Prize: $1000 cash, Accepted into the ScreenCraft Writer Development Program, personal industry introductions, Exclusive Finalist only workshop.
Website: https://screencraft.org/screenwriting-contests/
The Plaza Flash Fiction Prize
Word Limit: 1000 words max.
Entry Fee: Writers can enter any number of times. (£11.00 Subsequent entry: £5.50)
First Prize: £1000
Second Prize: £300
Third Place: £100
Top 10: The 10 shortlisted entries will be published in The Plaza Prizes Anthology 2, which will be launched at their awards ceremony in 2024.
Website: https://theplazaprizes.com/competition/the-plaza-flash-fiction-prize-1000-words/
500Flash Flash Fiction Competition
Word Limit: 500 words max.
Entry Fee: £5 for one story, £8 for two stories, £11 for three stories, £14 for four stories
First Prize: £300
Second Prize: £200
Third Place: £100
Website: https://flash500.com/flash-fiction/
Griffith Review Emerging Voices Competition 2024
Calling all emerging writers: Griffith Review is looking for submissions of fiction and creative non-fiction. You can write to any theme you like – but they are looking for new ideas, fresh voices and bold perspectives – work that commands our attention.
Word Limit: 3,500 to 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $25 for non-subscribers and $15 for current subscribers. The entry fee entitles you to a complimentary digital subscription to Griffith Review valid for six months.
Prizes: The winners will share a prize pool of $20,000, and their work will be published in Griffith Review.
Website: https://griffithreview.submittable.com/submit
Desperate Literature Prize for Short Fiction
The aim of the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is both to celebrate the best of new short fiction and to give winners the most visibility possible for their writing.
Entry Fee: €20 for the first piece of short fiction and €10 for every further entry with a maximum of five entries per person.
Grand Prize: €2000, A week’s residency at the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, Consultation with a UK literary agent, A long-form manuscript assessment
2 x Runner-Up Prizes (multiple): €1000
Website: https://desperateliterature.com/prize/
2024 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
Accepts original work of short fiction of between 2,000 and 5,000 words, written in English.
Entry fee: $20 Current ABR subscribers
Standard/non-subscribers: $30 (Also includes digital access to ABR free of charge for four months)
First prize: $6,000
Second prize: $4,000
Third prize: $2,500
Closing date: 22 April 2024
Website: https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/prizes-programs/elizabeth-jolley-story-prize/current-prize
The Plaza Short Story Prize
Word Limit: 5000 words max.
Entry Fee: Writers can enter any number of times. (£15.00. Subsequent entry: £7.50)
First Prize: £1000
Second Prize: £300
Third Place: £100
Top 10: The 10 shortlisted entries will be published in The Plaza Prizes Anthology 2, which will be launched at their awards ceremony in 2024.
Website: https://theplazaprizes.com/competition/the-plaza-short-story-prize-5000-words/
The Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction
Prizes: 2-4 Winners are announced who are published and share in the $1000 USD total prize pool. 10-20 writers Shortlisted. All entries are considered for publication and for submission to the Pushcart.
Entry Fee: $0 USD.
Word Length: 0 – 5000 words.
Details: Open to anyone in the world. There are no genre or theme restrictions. Judges feedback available. Judged blind.
The Letter Review Prize for Poetry
Prizes: 2-4 Winners are announced who are published and share in the $1000 USD total prize pool. 10-20 writers Shortlisted. All entries are considered for publication, and for submission to the Pushcart.
Entry Fee: $0 USD.
Length: 70 lines
Details: Open to anyone in the world. There are no style or subject restrictions. Judges’ Feedback available. Judged blind.
The Letter Review Prize for Unpublished Books
Prizes: 2-4 Winners are announced who share in the $1000 USD total prize pool. Winners may choose to have an extract published, and receive a letter of recommendation from our Judges. 10-20 writers are Shortlisted.
Entry Fee: $0 USD.
Words: Please submit the first 5000 words of your prose manuscript, or 15 pages of poetry.
Details: Open to anyone in the world. The entry must not have been traditionally published. We are seeking all varieties of novels, short story collections, nonfiction, and poetry collections. We will accept manuscripts that are unpublished, self published, and some which are indie published. Review full entry guidelines for further details. Feedback available. Judged blind.
The Letter Review Prize for Nonfiction
Prizes: 2-4 Winners are announced who are published and share in the $1000 USD total prize pool. 10-20 writers Shortlisted. All entries are considered for publication, and for submission to the Pushcart.
Entry Fee: $2 USD.
Words: 0 – 5000 words.
Details: Open to anyone in the world. We welcome most forms of Nonfiction including: Memoir, journalism, essay (including personal essay), fictocriticism, creative nonfiction, travel, nature, opinion, and many other permutations. Judges’ Feedback available. Judged blind.
Website: https://letterreview.com/information/
F(r)iction is a triannual publication that boasts work from both industry legends and emerging writers. Each issue is carefully curated to evaluate an important cultural topic from vastly different perspectives.
Short Story
Word Limit: 1,001 – 7,500 words
Prize: $1000 and will be considered for publication in F(r)iction, our triannual print collection or through our online blog F(r)iction Log. Up to five finalists will be considered for publication too.
Entry Fee: $15
Flash Fiction
Word Limit: up to 1,000 words per piece
Prize: $300 and will be considered for publication in F(r)iction, our triannual print collection or through our online blog F(r)iction Log. Up to five finalists will be considered for publication too.
Entry Fee: $10 (single), $12 (3 pack)
Poetry
Word Limit: up the three pages per poem
Prize: $300 and will be considered for publication in F(r)iction, our triannual print collection or through our online blog F(r)iction Log. Up to five finalists will be considered for publication too.
Entry Fee: $10 (single), $12 (3 pack)
Creative Nonfiction
Word Limit: up to 6,500 words
Prize: $500 and will be considered for publication in F(r)iction, our triannual print collection or through our online blog F(r)iction Log. Up to five finalists will be considered for publication too.
Entry Fee: $15
Website: https://frictionlit.org/contests/
Short stories of up to 2,000 words on an open theme.
The competition is open to all women writers within Australia and SWWV members worldwide.
Prizes:
1st $300
2nd $150
3rd $75
Winning stories will be published in the Society’s anthology, Sparx. Copyright remains with the author.
Entry Fees: For SWW Victoria members: 1 story $10.00 or 3 stories $20.00 / For non-members: 1 story $15.00 or 3 stories $30.00
Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest
For this contest, a story is any short work of fiction, and an essay is any short work of nonfiction.
Word Limit: 6,000 words max.
Entry Fee: $22 USD
STORY Prize: First Prize $3500 + Duotrope voucher
ESSAY Prize: First Prize: $3500 + Duotrope voucher
Bondi Screenplay competition invites diverse voices from all over the world to share their unique story with us. In return, we wish to focus on and celebrate where all good stories start…with the writer.
Entrants must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
Submissions must be no longer than 130 pages in length.
Grand Prize:
The winner will get their script turned into a professional Audible production. Keep it to yourself as a table read or publish it to Amazon Audible & Spotify for others to enjoy. This prize is valued at $1400 USD
Best Feature Screenplay
The Bondi Wave D’ore Prize Package:
-The official Bondi Wave D’ore Laurels.
-10 Pitches on VPF.
-Your choice of any available Academy award-winning (or nominated) signed script from our shop.
Best TV Pilot:
The Bondi FrothPrize Package:
-The official Bondi Froth Laurels.
-10 Pitches on VPF.
-Your choice of any available Academy award-winning (or nominated) signed script from our shop.
Best Short Screenplay:
The SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board) Prize Package:
-The official Bondi SUP Laurels.
-5 Pitches on VPF.
-Your choice of any available Academy award-winning (or nominated) signed script from our shop – after the best TV pilot and Best Feature winners have made their selection.
All Entrants
-15% off any script in the shop.
Thanks to our official sponsor every entrant will receive 1 VPF pitch.
Write a poem on the theme: reading
Any style of poem
Up to a maximum of 35 lines, not including the title
There is a $5 entry fee for each entry, you can enter up to three poems in one submission. Entry fees will be donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, minus processing fees.
1st prize: $250
2nd prize: $100
3rd prize: $50
Commended: 5 awards of $20
Website: https://kraw.com.au/poetry-competition/
This is your opportunity to write a short story using imagination, and creativity and with a wide interpretation, of any geographical concept set in Queensland.
First Place: $300 and publication in the RGSQ Bulletin and on the RGSQ website
Second Place: $150
Third Place: 1 year membership to the Queensland Writers Centre
Entry Fee: $10 per entry
Word Length: Short fiction up to 500 words.
Details: Multiple entries can be made in one or both categories (if eligible).
The competition will culminate in the creation of an anthology that captures the diverse voices and experiences of grief and loss. Additionally, a public event will be hosted in the Hunter region and streamed online, providing a platform for participants to share their work and engage with the community.Open to Australian citizens or residents 18 years or older.
The following guidelines are offered for submission (there are other visual mediums accepted):
Prose: The word limit for prose submission is 500 words.
Poetry: The line limit for poetry is 36 lines.
Miki was a phenomenal writer who was sadly never published in her lifetime. Her surviving brother, Paul Gallasch—with the support of her friends and the community that surrounded her—has set up this prize in her honour, to discover and foster writers like Miki, who might otherwise not be given the recognition they deserve.
Open to all South Australian residents.
Free Entry.
Word Count: 5000max
Prize money: $2083 for the winner, and a bottle of Jameson behind the bar, with your name on it, for the runners up.
Website: https://www.ernmalley.com.au/miki-prize
Boroondara Literary Awards Open Short Story Competition 2024
Open to all Victorian residents. One entry per person.
Length: Between 1,500-3,000 words
First Prize: $1,500
Second Prize: $1,000
Third Prize: $500
Keith Carroll Award $500 and a commemorative pen to the best entrant by a Boroondara resident.
Highly commended: Up to 3 vouchers, $50 each
Each story must be inspired by a song title from the 1950s to the 2000s. Let the melodies and lyrics of your chosen song guide your narrative and infuse your story with rhythm and soul.
Prizes: The top 10 stories will be featured on Victory Radio, and the winning story will receive some fantastic prizes.
Fee: £5
In our quest to offer authors a stage for their work, we are excited to be hosting our 2024 Short Story Competition.
Word Limit: 3,000 words maximum, no minimum
Entry Fee: £8.00 (GBP)
Prizes:
First Prize: £1000 (GBP)
Second Prize: £500 (GBP)
Third Prize: £250 (GBP)
5 Runners-up Prizes of £50 (GBP)
Prizewinning stories will be published in the MTP 2024 Anthology (print book and ebook). The Anthology title will be based on the title of the winning entry.
Website: https://www.mtp.agency/competition
Hunter Writers Centre Newcastle Poetry Prize
Renowned poets and judges have lauded the Newcastle Poetry Prize for its notable impact on Australian literature. The Prize embraces the long-form poem, allowing poets to explore their craft up to 200 lines.
Eligibility: Australian citizens or residents over 18 years or older.
Word Limit: Poems up to 200 lines can be entered. This includes titles and sub-headings. There is no minimum line limit.
Entry Fee: $32.50 (+GST) per entry. One poem per entry.
Prizes:
First Prize: $15,000
Second prize: $5,000
Third Prize: $1,000
Harri Jones Memorial Prize: $500
Highly Commended Awards (x2): $250 each
Hunter Writers’ Centre Member Award: $1,000
FAW NSW Seniors Card Short Story Competition 2024
The theme for this year is: ‘WHAT MADE ME’.
Eligibility: The competition is open to all New South Wales Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card holders. Seniors Card Membership Number must be included on the entry form.
Word Limit: Story length max. 1,000 words (Poetry not accepted). Excess word count will be immediately disqualified (the title is exempt).
Prizes: The top 100 entries will be published in the Seniors Card anthology.
The Big Issue’s 2024 Fiction Edition
The Big Issue are looking for short stories of all kinds – literary, comedy, romance, sci-fi, crime and everything in between.
Eligibility: Entry is FREE, and open to writers based in Australia. Submissions are limited to one story per person.
Word Limit: Stories should be between 500 and 3000 words. Stories must be previously unpublished.
Prizes: Every author published is paid $500.
Closing Date: 3 June 2024, 11:59PM
In addition to giving support and recognition to emerging Victorian writers, The Lord Mayor’s Creative Writing Awards promote the City of Melbourne and its libraries as a place of ideas and creativity.
The competition will consist of the following entry categories:
• The Dorothy Porter Award for Emerging Poets (up to 100 lines);
• Narrative Non-Fiction (5000 words);
• Short Story set in Melbourne (5000 words);
• *Life Writing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Writers (5000 words); and
• **Stories by Trans and Gender Diverse Writers (5000 words)
Eligibility: Entry is open to anyone residing in Victoria during the competition period (1st April – 3rd June 2024). The competition is open to emerging writers. An emerging writer is a writer who has not published a single-authored book or full-length chapbook with commercial distribution. If you have self-published, or have works in anthologies, magazines, or journals, you are still eligible to enter.
*, **: See Terms and Conditions for further Eligibility Requirements.
Prizes: The winner of each entry category (Winner) will be awarded a $2,000 prize. Each Winner of an entry category is shortlisted to be considered for the Lord Mayor’s Prize of $10,000 cash. The Lord Mayor’s Prize is selected as the overall winner from the shortlisted Works.
Closing Date: 3 June 2024, 11:59PM
The Prize incorporates both an Adult category and a category for Children and Young Adult (CYA).
Entry Fee: $80
Prizes: $100,000 to the Adult category winner, with an additional $5,000 awarded to each of the remaining two shortlisted authors. In the CYA category, the winner received $30,000, while the two short listers received $5,000 each.
A poetry contest from WA Poets Inc. (WAPoets) for original and unpublished* poems of up to 60 lines, of any theme.
Entry Fee: $10 for one entry, $20 for 2 entries, $25 for 3 entries and $30 for 4 entries. An entry consists of one original, unpublished* poem of no more than 60 lines.
Prizes:
First Prize $1,001
Second Prize $499
Plus 2 x Highly Commended Awards, 2 x Commended Awards
Opportunity to be published in the anthology Brushstrokes 2024
It is expected that an entry will be an original piece of work that makes a genuine contribution to our knowledge of the history of Wollongong or that offers a new interpretation of existing historical knowledge.
Word Limit: between 5,000-10,000 words
Eligibility: There is a limit of one entry per person, and entrants must be over the age of 18. Read the Terms and Conditions for more information.
Prizes:
First prize $3,000
Runner-up prize $1,500
Vine Leaves Press: The 2025 International Voices in Creative Nonfiction Competition
They welcome submissions from marginalized voices.
Word Limit: If the manuscript is narrative in nature (i.e. a memoir) then the length should be between 50,000 – 80,000 words.
If the manuscript is experimental in nature (i.e. not straight prose, could be vignettes, poetry, or a mix), it should be at least 100 pages long.
Entry Fee: $25 per entry (multiple entries accepted)
Prizes:
The winner will receive a cash prize of $1000 + Publication of the winning manuscript will occur in 2026 by Vine Leaves Press.
Runners up will also be considered for publication.
Magnetic Island Nature Care Association (MINCA) Environmental Writing Competition
The MINCA Prize is an international award for writing which relates to the environment of Magnetic Island. Creative writing may include any form (essay, prose, poetry or hybrid) and embrace ecological themes relevant to Magnetic Island.
Eligibility: Writings cannot have been previously published.
Two categories:
Adult: open to anyone age 18 or above.
Junior: open to anyone under 18
Word Limit: Written works no greater than 1500 words, written in the English language, translations are eligible.
Prizes: Each winner receives $150
Closing Date: 31 July 2024
Website: http://www.minca.org/
Port Writers Open Writing Competition 2024
2 Categories:
Short Story (up to 2500 words)
Poetry (up to 32 lines).
Prizes for each Category: 1st $200, 2nd $50, Hastings Prize –(for local writers in the Port Macquarie-Hastings geographic area) $50
Entry: $10 per entry (limit of 3 entries per category)
Closing Date: 31 July
Website: http://portwriters.com.au/competitions/2024-open
The Ampersand Prize – Hardie Grant Publishing
The Ampersand Prize is awarded biennially to an extraordinary debut manuscript for children or young adults, with the winning author receiving a publishing contract
The Ampersand Prize judging team is passionate about uncovering brilliant debut novels and bringing fresh voices to the world. Over more than a decade, Ampersand has launched the careers of numerous bestselling, multi-award-winning and critically acclaimed authors, many of whom have gone on to publish their books around the world.
Closing Date: 31 July 2024
Website: https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-au/childrens/ampersand-prize
Anthology Personal Memoir Competition
The Anthology Personal Memoir Competition is open to original and previously unpublished memoirs in the English language by writers of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. There are no constraints on themes or writing styles.
Word Limit: Maximum of 1,500 words.
Entry Fee: €15. Writers can submit as many entries as they wish. Each submission will require a separate entry form and is subject to a separate entry fee.
Prizes: The winner will receive €500 and the chance to see their work published in a future issue of Anthology.
Story Unlikely’s Magazine Submission
Submissions to their monthly magazine are currently open through September 29th. 
The submission period runs from February 2nd through September 29th
No restrictions on genre (seeking all types of stories; fiction and creative nonfiction)
10k word limit (15k for Members)
8 cents a word, reprints are 1 cent a word (we cap payment at $200, or $400 for Members)
All published stories are illustrated
No submission fee
Anthology Nature Writing Competition
The Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition
The Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition is a national competition and is for children and adults who are blind or have low vision. There is also a special “People’s Choice” award that will be open to anyone (even if you are sighted) and all entries in this category will be published on the Braille House website and the audience will get to choose the winner.
Entry is only $10 per category and there are 6 categories for all ages to enter and prize money is awarded in every category: $350 first prize per category and $150 second prize per category (judge’s decision is final).
Closing Date: 13 September 2024
Website: https://www.braillehouse.org.au/dickinson-2024/
The Stringybark Times Past Short Story Award 2024
This is our sixth historical fiction competition exploring Australian history.
• 1500 words or fewer in length;
• be based on a real event or events;
• the event(s) must have occurred in Australia or had clear relevance to Australia; and
• the story must be accompanied by a 150 word or fewer, explanation of the ‘real facts’ behind the story.
We have an award pool of over $1070 in cash and books to encourage you in this endeavour, provided by our sponsors Stringybark Publishing.
Entry fees: $15 for one story, $28 for two stories, $39 for three stories (max).
Closing Date: 29 September 2024
Website: https://www.stringybarkstories.net
The Writers’ Studio – Annual Short Story Competition
We are excited to announce that our annual Short Story Competition is now open for submissions!
The Writers’ Studio Short Story Competition is a celebration of emerging writers and is open to anyone aged 18 and over. Writers can write to any theme.
Entries must be between 1500 words and a maximum of 2500 words.
First Prize $800 | Second Prize: $400 | Third Prize: $200
Closing Date: 5pm AEST, Thursday, 31 October 2024
Information Page: https://www.writerstudio.com.au/about-writing/writers-studio-short-story-competition-2024/
Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction
Submit a 500-word piece of original fiction in response to the given criteria
Pool of Prizes
Deadline: Sunday 20 October 2024
Website: https://notquitewritepodcast.com/prize/
The Writing Prize
The Writing Prize will be awarded for the best writing on the question:
What should be the roles and responsibilities of Australian media in reporting on and responding to the real-life impacts of climate change?
Original writing between 4,000 and 5,000 words
Prize $10,000
Deadline: 25 October
Website: https://www.writing.org.au/the-writing-prize-2024/
2024 Ernestine Hill Memorial Award
Short Stories with an Australian Country theme, up to maximum 4,000 words
Entrants must be permanent residents of Australia
Entry Fee is $20.00 per entry
Prize: $1000
Closing Date: 31 October
Website: https://fawnsw.org.au/conditions-2024-ernestine-hill-memorial-award/
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize
Open to: Citizen of a Commonwealth country and 18 years or over
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,000- 5,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: £5,000, Regional winners: £2,500
Closing Date: 2 November 2024, 12pm GMT
Website: https://commonwealthfoundation.com/short-story-prize/
Odyssey House Victoria – Annual Short Story Competition 2024
Theme is “Regret” and must include a reference to alcohol or other drugs.
Entry fee is $10 per submission
No more than 1500 words per story
First place: $1000
Closing Date: 5 November
Website: https://odyssey.org.au/short-story-competition-2024/
The Marj Wilke Short Story Award for 2024
Length: Short Story to 1,500 words (title of story not included)
Open to: Australian women writers over the age of 18 years
Entry Fee: $15 or $40 for maximum of three.
Prizes: First $350, Second $150, and The Lauren Elise Daniels Encouragement Award $75, plus certificates.
Closing Date: 8 November at 5pm
Website: https://womenwritersqld.org.au/the-marj-wilkie-short-story-award/
The Bethamy Nader Short Story Prize
Open to: All Australian writers
Theme: ‘Write through the eyes of a mythical creature’
Unpublished Short Stories from Adults 18+
Size: 400-440 words
Entry Fee: EARLYBIRD: $10.00, REGULAR: $15,
First Prize: $300 Second Prize: $150 Third Prize $100
Closing Date: 19 November 2024
Website: https://thebethamynadershortstoryprize.wordpress.com
Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize 2025
Maximum 80,000 words
Entry Fee: $45
Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize 2025
Maximum 80,000 words
Entry Fee: $45
The Hawkeye Prize Winner’s Package is valued at $3,500. Additionally, all manuscripts longlisted and shortlisted are announced on our website and in our enews, and all entrants in the Hawkeye Prize receive judges’ comments.
Closing Date: 13 December
Website: https://hawkeyebooks.com.au/pages/hawkeye-publishing-manuscript-development-publication-prize
Hunter Writers’ Centre 2024 Newcastle Short Story Award
Works of fiction up to 2,000 words. Titles, subtitles and all other additional words are included in the word count.
First Prize: $3,000 / Second Prize: $1,500 / Third Prize: $500
Highly Commended: $200, sponsored by FogHorn Brewery
Entry Fee: $16.50
Closing Date: 22 December 2024
Website: https://hunterwriterscentre.org/2024-newcastle-short-story-award/
The Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction
Letter Review is offering $1000 USD Prize pool in a competition for short fiction up to 5000 words. No genre or theme restrictions: all stories welcome. Open to writers who live anywhere in the world.
Entry fee $20 USD
Closing Date: 1 January 2025
Website: https://letterreview.com/information/
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