Short Story Competition
Calling all aspiring writers and storytellers! Melton City Libraries Short Story Competition is back for 2026.
Now in its 21st year, our annual Short Story Competition is a great opportunity for creatives of all kinds to showcase their talents and have their work reviewed by popular authors. And it’s not just for writers! Your short story can be presented in any format including text, illustration, video, verse, voice, or a combination of any of the above.
Entries are open to anyone aged 5 years and over who lives, works, or studies in the City of Melton.
Written entries should be no more than 3000 words for adults or 1500 words for juniors and young adults. For other story formats, aim for something that takes no more than 5 minutes to experience.
Prizes will be awarded to the best entries in Junior, Teen and Adult categories, as chosen by our expert panel of judges.
Entries Open: Monday 4 May 2026
Entries Close: 11.59pm, Friday 10 July 2026
How to enter: All entries must be submitted online. Use one of the forms below to submit your entry. Good luck!
Juniors and Teens Under 18 - Short Story Competition Entry Form
Adults 18 and over - Short Story Competition Entry Form
View Terms and Conditions of Entry(PDF, 136KB)
Judges
Children’s category judge: Andrew McDonald
Andrew McDonald writes books for kids including ‘Real Pigeons’, ‘Hello Twigs’ and the picture book ‘Now You Are a Chicken’. He loves writing stories that make kids laugh, gasp and wonder about the world.
Andrew’s books have been recognised by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) awards, the Australian Book Industry Awards and the Readings Children’s Book Prize.
Andrew lives in Naarm/Melbourne and is a passionate advocate for books, reading and engaging kids through creativity.
Teen category judge: Demet Divaroren
Demet Divaroren was born in Adana, Turkey and migrated to Australia with her family when she was six months old. She is the award-winning author of ‘Living on Hope Street’ and the co-editor of CBCA shortlisted anthology ‘Growing up Muslim in Australia’. Her second young adult novel ‘Blood Moon Bride’ (2025) was recently shortlisted for an Aurealis award.
Growing up, Demet’s language was a fusion of English and Turkish words, a phonetic, random mix of strong vowels and sneaky silent letters that she now considers her superpower. She believes that words are magic and that storytelling has the power to transform, inspire and connect us all in weird, wonderful and meaningful ways. Today, Demet’s unique voice shapes her stories, which explore multiculturalism, cross cultural relationships, racism, injustice, gender-based oppression, and what it means to be human.
Adult category judge: Mark Brandi
Originally from Italy, Mark Brandi grew up in rural Victoria. He graduated with a criminal justice degree and worked in the justice system before changing direction and deciding to write.
Mark's bestselling novel, ‘Wimmera’, won the coveted British Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger, and was named Best Debut at the 2018 Australian Indie Book Awards. It was also shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards Literary Fiction Book of the Year, the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year, and the Ned Kelly Award for Best First Crime.
Mark's second novel, ‘The Rip’, was published to critical acclaim in 2019, and his third novel, ‘The Others’, was shortlisted for the Best Fiction prize in the 2022 Ned Kelly Awards. His fourth novel, ‘Southern Aurora’, was Highly Commended in the 2024 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards. His fifth novel, ‘Eden’, was published in July 2025.
Mark's shorter work has appeared in ‘The Guardian’, ‘The Age’, ‘The Big Issue’, and is sometimes broadcast on ABC Radio National. He now lives in Melbourne and is working on his next novel.
Prizes
Junior A (Prep to Grade 3)
1st prize:
- $100 QBD Books voucher
- $100 Smiggle voucher
- One new-release children's book
- Commemorative trophy
2nd prize:
- $60 QBD Books voucher
- $50 Smiggle voucher
- One new-release children's book
- Commemorative trophy
3rd prize:
- $40 Smiggle voucher
- One new-release children's book
- Commemorative trophy
Highly Commended:
- One journal
- One new-release children's book
Best First-Time Entry:
- One journal
- One new-release children's book
Junior B (Grade 4 to Grade 6)
1st prize:
- $150 QBD Books voucher
- $90 Smiggle voucher
- Commemorative trophy
2nd prize:
- $100 QBD Books voucher
- $40 Smiggle voucher
- Commemorative trophy
3rd prize:
- $40 Smiggle voucher
- Commemorative trophy
Highly Commended:
- One journal
- $20 QBD Books voucher
Best First-Time Entry:
- One journal
- $20 QBD Books voucher
Teen (Year 7 to Year 12)
1st prize:
- $100 QBD Books voucher
- One writer's coaching session with author Demet Divaroren
2nd prize:
- $50 QBD Books voucher
- One writer's coaching session with author Demet Divaroren
3rd prize:
- One writer's coaching session with author Demet Divaroren
Highly Commended:
- One journal
- One new-release YA book
Best First-Time entry:
- One journal
- One new-release YA book
Adult (Ages 18+)
1st prize:
- One Kobo Lira with stylus
- $250 JB Hi-Fi voucher
- One new-release book
2nd prize:
- One Kobo Clara
- $250 JB Hi-Fi voucher
- One new-release book
3rd prize:
- One Kobo Clara
- One new-release book
Highly Commended:
- One journal
- One new-release book
Best First-Time entry:
- One journal
- One new-release book
Author talks and events
Need some inspiration to get your story started? Come along to one of our FREE author talks featuring this years' judges. Ask questions and gain valuable insights from some of your favourite writers.
Author Talk: Andrew McDonald (ages 7 to 13)
Get all the tips and tricks you need to help you write a winning entry in this very special session with author, Andrew McDonald. Andrew will speak about his experience as a writer and will share his advice for the Short Story Competition. You will have the chance to ask Andrew lots of questions after the presentation. Bookings are required.
Monday 25 May, 4.30pm to 5.30pm, Melton Library and Learning Hub
Book now
Author Talk: Demet Divaroren (ages 12+)
In this special presentation, award-winning author, Demet Divaroren, will share her passion for storytelling and the power of words in fostering human connection. Ask her about her journey, and what shapes her writing, to help shape yours. Bookings are required.
Wednesday 6 May, 11.30am to 12.30pm, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Book now
Friday 8 May, 4pm to 5pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
Book now
An evening of literary crime with Mark Brandi and Sarah Bailey (ages 18+)
Spend a thrilling hour with Melbourne authors, Sarah Bailey, and Mark Brandi.
In this conversation-style event, Sarah will be sharing insights from her new novel, 'Click', while Mark will be exploring elements from his award-winning books.
Come along to gain lasting insights and perspectives from two of Melbourne's best-loved crime authors and learn what it takes to write a captivating story. Bookings are required.
Thursday 14 May, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
Book now
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Find out more about the Short Story Competition below. If you have other questions, please contact Melton City Libraries during business hours on (03) 9747 5300, or email shortstory@melton.vic.gov.au.
Who can enter the competition?
Anyone aged 5 years and over can enter the Short Story Competition, as long as you live, work or study in the City of Melton. If you are a finalist, you may be asked to supply proof of your residence, work or study.
Can I enter more than once?
No. We only accept one entry per person. If you submit more than one entry, we will accept the first submission only.
How long should my story be?
Written entries should be no more than 3000 words for adults or 1500 words for juniors and young adults. For other story formats (such as video or voice recording), aim for something that takes no more than 5 minutes to experience.
What if I want to resubmit my entry?
If you submit more than one entry, we will accept the first submission only. If you are not happy with your first entry and would like to resubmit, please email us at shortstory@melton.vic.gov.au.
Why can’t I include my name on my entry?
We submit all entries to our judges without names to keep everything anonymous and ensure that all entries are judged fairly. Entries that include your name will not be sent on to judging.
In video entries, you can show your face, as long as it is not clear that you are the creator of the work. For example, we will accept a short film if you are acting in it, however, we will not accept a video of you reading out your own story. Again, this is to make sure that all entries are judged fairly.
Do I still retain the rights to my story after I submit it?
Yes, the rights of all entries submitted remain with the original author.
Can I submit something other than a written story?
If it tells a story, we want to see it!
Your Short Story can be a piece of writing, an illustration, a video, a voice recording, or a combination of any of the above.
Written entries should be no more than 3000 words for adults (18+ years) or 1500 words for juniors and teens (under 18 years). For other story formats, aim for something that takes no more than 5 minutes to experience.
How do I submit my story?
All entries must be submitted online. Come back to this webpage from Monday 4 May to upload your entry.
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Visual entries (e.g., illustrations and artwork) can be submitted as .jpg, .png, or PDF files. Maximum file size 50 MB.
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Video and audio entries may be submitted in any of the following file formats: .mpg, .mp4, .m4a, .mov, .wmv, .avi, or .wav. Maximum file size 50 MB.
Please do not write or speak your name on your entry.
Do I have to be a member of Melton City Libraries to enter?
No, you do not need to have a library card to enter the competition. (However, it’s free to join!) You can still enter as long as you live, work or study in the City of Melton.
I am 18 years old, but I am still in Year 12. Which category should I submit in?
If you are aged 18 years or older on or before the Short Story Competition closing date (10 July 2026), please submit your entry in the Adult category.
Can I use copyrighted content as part of my entry?
No. Under the Australian Copyright Act (1968), copyrighted content cannot be reproduced. This includes using songs that are not originally created by the entrant, in audio entries.
What if I have an issue with the entry form?
If you have any problems in filling out the entry form, or your entry will not upload, please email shortstory@melton.vic.gov.au.
How will the winners be decided?
We have a panel of experienced authors who will choose the winners in their respective categories. The judges will be looking for well-made, creative entries that spark their interest.
How will I know if I have won?
Melton City Libraries will contact all finalists via email by Wednesday 19 August 2026.