Short Story Competition - 2024 Festival
(Adult Category)
Entries have Closed
The 2024 Words Out West Short Story Competition has now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry. We've now begun the difficult task of selecting the winning entries. We wish you all the very best!
Words Out West is delighted to announce their short story competition to coincide with the 2024 Words Out West Readers and Writers Festival.
Everybody has a different way of telling a story; we want to hear yours!
Adult Prizes
1st Prize — $500 + a ticket to the 2024 Festival Day + a ticket to one of the 2024 Writers Workshops
2nd Prize — $300 + a ticket to the 2024 Festival Day
3rd Prize — $150 + a ticket to the 2024 Festival Day
Here's The Gist
Opening Date: Wednesday 22 November 2023
Closing Date: Sunday 18th February 2024
Word limit: 3,000 words
Stories must be fiction
Stories must be written on the theme of Horizons
The Finer Details
Entrants must be 18 years old or over, as of date of entry.
Judging criteria will include writing proficiency, creative interpretation 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 and submitted as a Word document. Formatting must be in the style of Calibri or Arial font, 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.
Read full terms and conditions 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.