Short Story Competition

1. Entries open Monday 20 June 2022. Entries received after the closing date of Monday 15 August 2022 will not be accepted.
2. One entry per person.
3. All entries must be submitted online at www.melton.vic.gov.au/shortstory. The author’s name must NOT appear on the submitted work.
4. The author must live, work or study in the City of Melton, or be a library member. Winning authors may need to supply proof of residency, work or study in the City of Melton.
5. Employees and family members of Melton City Council and sponsors cannot enter.
6. Entries must be the original unpublished work of the author.
7. If written, the story should be legible, preferably typed in a clear font.
8. If illustrated, the story should be in a format that is easily viewed and not too large.
9. If animated, the story should be in a format that is viewable using Windows Media player.
10. Stories should be within the prescribed limits: no more than 3000 words for adults, 1500 words for junior and teen, or 5 minutes long.
11. Entries will not be returned and will be disposed of in a secure manner.
12. The judges’ decisions are final.
13. Finalists will be notified by Monday 30 September 2022.
14. Winning entries, with the names of winning authors may be published by Melton City Council. By entering, you agree to have your work published.

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Short Story Competition 2022 Terms and Conditions(PDF, 147KB)

1st Prize: $300

2nd Prize: $200

3rd Prize: $100

1st Prize: $300

2nd Prize: $200

3rd Prize: $100

1st Prize: $300

2nd Prize: $200

3rd Prize: $100

1st Prize: $750

2nd Prize: $500

3rd Prize: $250

Prizes will also be awarded for the 'Best First-Time Entry' as well as 'Highly Commended' entries in each category.

In the event of a tie in any category, prizes will be added to together and divided equally between the winners.

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Favel Parrett's career was launched in 2011 with her critically acclaimed debut ‘Past the Shallows’. A heart-breaking novel, it was sold internationally and was shortlisted for the prestigious Miles Franklin Award. Her next novel, ‘When the Night Comes’, was also critically acclaimed and further consolidated Favel's reputation with booksellers and readers. Her success has continued with her eagerly-awaited third novel, ‘There Was Still Love’ and her first children’s book, ‘Wandi’.

Learn more about Favel Parrett.

Nicole Hayes is an award-winning writer and podcaster, a Stella Prize Schools Ambassador and an Australia Reads Ambassador. Her Young Adult novel, ‘One True Thing’, was awarded the Children’s Peace Literature Award and was shortlisted for the WA Premier’s Literary Award, the WA Young Readers Award, the YABBA and KOALA awards. ‘A Shadow’s Breath’ was a finalist for the NSW Premier’s Award, the Gold INKY Awards and a CBCA Notable book. Her debut novel, ‘The Whole of My World’, a YA #MeToo novel set in the world of AFL, was longlisted for the Gold Inky Award, and shortlisted for YABBA and KOALA awards.

Learn more about Nicole Hayes.

Katherine Kovacic is the author of the award-winning Alex Clayton art mystery series. She has also delved into true crime with ‘The Schoolgirl Strangler’ and brought the character of Peregrine Fisher from screen to page in Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, ‘Just Murdered’.

Based in Melbourne, Katherine has a diverse background ranging from veterinary medicine to art history. When she’s not writing, she divides her time between a small family dog training business, and working in the heritage sector.

Learn more about Katherine Kovacic.