Short Story Competition Finalists 2025
Youth
Blueberry Scones
Annabella Zhang
The recipe book was black and white and yellow. It sounded like the start of a bad joke; the kind Blythe used to hoard and tell at teatime.
Remembrance
Sonny Whittaker
It is the way of the people to keep the bodies of the departed until Sun’s Returning, the day when Winter’s grip loosens and releases the sun.
Abigail Two Hearts, One Story
Erin Reichelt
“Smack!” I kick the ball across the yard. Almost instantly, I see a blue flash chase after it.
Adult
Lemon
Emma Hinz
Clem hunched over the kitchen table; his fingers methodically straightened the fraying ends of the placemat.
Wedding Whispers
Vanessa Thompson
Mary woke before dawn. There were still jobs to do on this her wedding day.
Winds of War and Time
John Devaney
The ceremony was far more moving than Katie had anticipated. The service only lasted twenty-five minutes, the mournful Last Post, the lowering of flags touching the ground with the silence of the night broken by mournful birdcall somewhere over the town.
We’re delighted to announce our short story competition for 2025 with the captivating theme “Whispers in the Wind.”
The short story competition is your chance to let your imagination soar and share your unique voice. Open to both youth and adult writers, this competition invites you to explore the mysteries and magic carried by the wind. Whether you craft tales of adventure, reflection, or whimsy, we can’t wait to read your stories.
Here's The Gist
Opening Date is Wednesday 20 November 2024
Closing Date is Sunday 16 February 2025
Word limit is 1,500 words for Youth and 3,000 words for Adults.
Stories must be fiction and written on the theme of Whispers in the Wind
Prizes
Winners will be announced at the 2025 festival, on Sunday 16 March 2025.
Youth
1st — $300 + Brisbane Children’s Writers Festival Ticket
2nd — $200 + Brisbane Children’s Writers Festival Ticket
3rd — $100 + Brisbane Children’s Writers Festival Ticket
Adult
1st — $500 + Festival Days Pass + Queensland Writers Centre Membership
2nd — $300 + Festival Days Pass + Queensland Writers Centre Membership
3rd — $150 + Festival Days Pass + Queensland Writers Centre Membership
The Finer Details
Youth entrants must be between 12 and 18 years old, as of date of entry.
Adult 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 or PDF 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 form linked 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.