Short Story Competition
Stretch your writing muscles and you could share in more than $3000 worth of prizes in the Melton City Libraries Short Story Competition!
The Short Story competition is a great opportunity for budding writers of all ages to showcase their talent and have their work read by popular authors.
Entries can be submitted in any medium: text, print, illustration, video, verse, voice or combinations of any of the above. Entries should be no more than 3000 words for adults, 1500 words for junior and teen, or for other story formats, something that takes no more than 5 minutes to experience.
The competition will award the first, second and third prize entries in Junior, Teenage and Adult sections.
Competition runs: Monday 21 June - Monday 16 August 2021.
Enter online - Short Story Competition - Under 18
Enter online - Short Story Competition - Adult
PRIZES
Junior A Section (Prep - Year 3)*
1st Prize: $300
2nd Prize: $200
3rd Prize: $100
Junior B Section (Year 4 - Year 6)*
1st Prize: $300
2nd Prize: $200
3rd Prize: $100
Teenage Section (Year 7 - Year 12)*
1st Prize: $300
2nd Prize: $200
3rd Prize: $100
Adult Section (18 years )*
1st Prize: $750
2nd Prize: $500
3rd Prize: $250
*Best first time entry and highly commended prizes will also be awarded in each category.
In case of two winners in any category the first and second prize will be added to together and divided equally between the two winners and there will be a third prize.
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
Short Story Competition Conditions of Entry(PDF, 207KB)
Short Story Competition Conditions of Entry - plain text
DOWNLOADS
Short Story Competition Prizes(PDF, 377KB)
JUDGES
This year's Short Story Competition judges are:
Michael Panckridge
Inspired by his passion for sport and a desire to get reluctant readers engaged in books, Michael Panckridge put his mind to finding out what it is kids want to read.
In 2019, he finds himself the author of over 40 books – his work ranging from the best-selling Legends and Anniversary Legends series; the Toby Jones series, co-authored with Brett Lee, a rich blend of cricket and fantasy and The League of Legends series – rugby league action with the support of ex Australian captain, Laurie Daley.
Later novels move away from sport. The Cursed, The Vanishings and The Immortal are adventure books with elements of mystery and intrigue that will keep the reader guessing.
Another series is The Book of Gabrielle – a sinister tale about a girl without a past and an extraordinary ability to see things others can’t.
There is also the immensely readable Clued Up series. Set in a country town, it’s a six-book series where a group of friends get involved in a series of mysteries and adventures – horses, moto-cross and dirt-bike riding, ghosts and UFOs are just some of the topics explored!
With Penguin, Michael has authored two, four-book cricket series, celebrating the highly popular Big Bash and Women’s Big Bash Leagues. He also wrote the latest AFL Factivity book – a magazine style booklet filled with fun facts, games, quizzes, activities and stickers.
There’s also Be Bully Free – a practical, hands-on guide to help anyone who has experienced bullying. Initially locally published, it has now been picked up be a leading London publisher and is selling world-wide.
Michael's latest book, 44 Hours, is perhaps his most intriguing yet. It's a spine tingling and creepy thriller about a boy who is told he has just 44 hours to live... and there's a BIG twist in the tale.
Ellie Marney
Ellie Marney is an award-winning YA author who has gone behind the scenes at the Westminster Mortuary in London and interviewed forensic and technical specialists around the world in pursuit of the perfect details for her brand of thrilling crime stories.
Her titles include Arlington Hall, None Shall Sleep, the Every trilogy, No Limits, White Night and the Circus Hearts series.
Ellie has lived in Indonesia, India and Singapore, and is now based outside Melbourne with her family. Find her at www.elliemarney.com.
Lee Kofman
Dr Lee Kofman spent ten years researching issues around body image and visible difference. She is also an author and editor of seven books.
In her most recent book, the critically acclaimed memoir Imperfect, she tells her story of growing up while suffering anguish about her body that was severely scarred during multiple childhood surgeries, and later in life raising a child with albinism. Drawing on Lee’s experience and research, Imperfect also explores how we can live a fulfilled life in an ‘imperfect’ body.
Lee is also a passionate and versatile teacher. She used to teach social sciences across three major universities, and for the last 13 years she has been regularly teaching a wide range of writing workshops all around Australia.
She is a candid, engaging and warm speaker about body image, visible differences, parenting and the art of writing. She also often discusses migration, having written extensively about her two migrations: from Russia to Israel, and later to Australia. And she is an experienced panel moderator, who has interviewed many well-known Australian and international authors. She speaks regularly at literary festivals, libraries, bookshops and in the media.
2020 WINNING ENTRIES
Junior B: Year 4 - Year 6