2024 Competition Finalists
Short Story Competition Finalists
Adult
Winner
Title: Shifting Horizons
Author: Jane O’Regan
Location: Toowoomba
Synopsis: Our horizons shift, depending on our perspective. The view will be different, depending on where we stand.
Runner Up
Title: Echoes of Love
Author: Sophie Brennan
Location: Dalby
Synopsis: A young woman has been grappling with a terminal illness. During a family gathering for her twenty-first birthday she experiences, joy love and sorrow in the moments she shares with her family and loved ones. As the night progresses, she makes a decision to take control of her fate.
Third Place
Title: Sure Horizons
Author: Leigh Davis
Location: Charters Towers
Synopsis: Zora is uncertain which crossroad to take. Looking back at her life of love, happiness, sadness and heartbreak, the different roads laid out gave her so many different chances as life. Which road will Zora take to fill her heart with the happiness she deserves? Sure Horizons is a short story about one woman’s journey of self discovery.
Youth
Winner
Title: Sunrise Meetings
Author: Lilly Anderson
Location: Dalby
Synopsis: An unlikely friendship.
Runner Up
Title: Above the Skies
Author: Molly Mccrohon
Location: Brisbane
Synopsis: Above the Skies is a short story about the intimate last moments of palliative care. Joseph, the protagonist, is lying on the precipice of life’s ending, feeling trapped by the sterile, hospital ward, impending his fate. Joseph never wanted his journey to end like this. In the midst of one of life’s saddest days, he finds joy. Transported back to his youth; eyes locked towards the horizon; the place where light cuts through the darkness. A moving story that gives us all some peace to hold onto.
Third Place
Title: New Horizons
Author: Henry Palmer
Location: Brisbane
Synopsis: “New Horizons” follows Jackson, reluctantly spending a summer with his mum at his late grandfather’s cabin. Disconnected from technology, he discovers his grandfather’s journal, unveiling adventurous tales. Despite initial resistance, Jackson bonds with his mum, realising the value of quality time. A mysterious encounter with translucent pirates reveals a family secret, leading to a daring escape. Through this journey, Jackson learns to appreciate real-life connections over virtual distractions, embracing new horizons of personal growth and family bonds.
Here's the gist
- Competition closes on Sunday 18 February 2024
- Word limit: 3000 words for adult, 1500 for youth
- Stories must be fiction and written on the theme of Horizons.
- Stories must be fiction
- Winners will be officially announced and prizes awarded at Festival Day on Saturday 9 March
The finer details
- Judging criteria will include writing proficiency, application of the theme, strength of the narrative and engagement of the characters.
- This competition is open to non-professional* fiction writers who are Queensland residents.
- Entries are free and limited to one per person.
- All entries should be in English submitted as a Word document. Formatting must be in the style of Calibri or Arial, double line spaced with page numbers. Entrants can choose their own title.
- Entries that exceed the word limit will be deemed ineligible.
- Entries are to be made through the submission portal below.
- Full terms and conditions can be read here.
* A non-professional writer means a person who has never received a fee for their work, whether it be fiction or non-fiction. Prize money received for a story is not considered a fee.
Prizes
Adult
First
$500
Ticket to the 2024 Festival Day + a ticket to one of the 2024 Writers Workshops
Runner Up
$300 + ticket to 2024 Festival Day
Third Place
$150 + Ticket to 2024 Festival Day
Youth
First
$300
Runner Up
$200
Third Place
$100