Short Story Competition

Writers welcome!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our very first writers' competition, open to all indie authors from Australia and New Zealand. This is a golden opportunity for talented writers to showcase their creativity, share their stories, and gain recognition in the literary community.

Our first competition kicks off with the enchanting theme of Romance. We invite you to create a short story that captures the essence of the genre, in a way ony you can.

Check out the info below for the first competition.

Romance Short Story Competition

Get ready to unleash your creativity and share your romantic tales! Submissions open from April 1st and will close on May 13th.

Submission Guidelines:
Theme: Romance
Word Limit: 1,500 to 4,000 words
Format: .doc or .pdf
Submission Fee: $10 (via Donation Link)
Email: aus_nz_indiewriters_bookclub@outlook.com

Judging Criteria:

Our panel of judges will evaluate entries based on the following:

Creativity and Originality: How unique and innovative is the story?
Writing Quality: Grammar, style, and overall readability.
Adherence to Theme: How well does the story fit the romance genre?
Emotional Impact: Does the story evoke strong emotions?
Plot and Character Development: Is the storyline engaging and are the characters well-developed?

Important Dates:

Submission Period: April 1st - May 13th (6 weeks)
Judging Period: May 14th - June 14th (4 weeks)
Announcement of Winners: June 15th

Prizes:

1st Place: Certificate, medal, gift card, writing journal and feature in book club newsletter and social media.
2nd Place: Certificate, gift card, writing journal, and feature in book club newsletter and social media.
3rd Place: Certificate, writing journal, and feature in book club newsletter and social media.

Supporting the Book Club:

All submission fees will go directly towards the prizes and supporting the Book Club's activities, helping us continue to foster a love of reading and writing within our community.

You’ll receive an email confirmation within 24 hours of submission. Best of luck, writers! We can't wait to read your stories!

Guest Judges:

We are excited to invite guest judges to join our panel! If you are passionate about romance literature and would like to contribute, please send your application to aus_nz_indiewriters_bookclub@outlook.com Include a brief introduction and any relevant experience.

How to Submit:

Prepare Your Story: Ensure it fits the guidelines.
Send an Email to aus_nz_indiewriters_bookclub@outlook.com with the subject line: "Romance Short Story Submission".
Include the Following in Your Email:

Attachment: Your story in .doc or .pdf format.
Author Information: Your full name.
Story Title: Title of your story.
Contact Details: Your email address and phone number.
Anthology: Would you like to be featured in a possible anthology?
Proof of Payment: Screenshot or confirmation of your $10 donation.

You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of submission.

Possible Anthology:

We are considering creating an anthology featuring the best short stories submitted. This anthology will be published through the Book Club and will provide additional recognition for the authors.

If you would prefer not to have your story included in the anthology, please let us know in your submission email. We will contact authors about this in the future, if the anthology goes ahead.