Short Story Competition - 2024 Festival
(Youth 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!
Youth Prizes
1st Prize — $300
2nd Prize — $200
3rd Prize — $100
Here's The Gist
Opening Date: Wednesday 22 November 2023
Closing Date: Sunday 18th February 2024
Word limit: 1,500 words
Stories must be Fiction
Stories must be written on the theme of Horizons
The Finer Details
Entrants must be between 12 and 18 years of age, 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.