Aspiring authors and seasoned wordsmiths are being invited to put pen to paper as the Friends of Paynesville Library Inc. officially launches its 2026 Short Story Competition.
Celebrating a significant milestone, this year marks the 15th anniversary of
the contest.
The competition aims to encourage both established and up-and-coming writers to take on the challenge of crafting a compelling narrative and submitting it for professional review.
The competition is open to all writers over the age of 18.
Entrants have total creative freedom, as the contest features an open theme, allowing stories on any topic.
Submissions must be original works with a maximum word length of 3000 words.
A total prize pool of $700 is up for grabs, with $400 awarded to the first-place winner, $200 for second prize, and $100 for third.
In addition to the prize money, winners will receive a certificate and have
their work published in a special commemorative booklet and on the organisation’s website.
Entries will be evaluated by a panel of three highly experienced local judges, who will provide comments on the winning stories.
Key entry requirements:
Format: Entries must be printed on one side of A4 white paper, using a minimum 12-point font and double-line spacing.
Restrictions: Handwritten or emailed entries will not be accepted.
Entry fee: There is a fee per story, with a maximum of three entries allowed
per person.
Anonymity: To ensure fair judging, the author’s name must only appear on the entry form and not on the manuscript or title page.
Entries close on Friday,
July 24, 2026.
Winners will be announced on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, and will be contacted via phone or email.
Entry forms and full competition rules can be downloaded from the official website at www.friendsofpaynesvillelibrary.com or via the Friends of Paynesville Library Inc.
Facebook page. Physical forms are also available at the Paynesville Library.
