Australian Competitions Club

http://www.odyssey.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=192:writers-comp&catid=29:front-page-stories




Short Story Competition
 
“Odyssey House helped me when I was addicted to heroin, and it’s a pleasure to add my name to those who support their short story competition. For those whose voices are rarely heard, especially, this is a chance to sing, sorrow and shout on the page. I’m sure there will be some fabulous stories in this competition. Don’t be shy, get writing!”
 
 
 
Author Kate Holden (In My Skin) is getting behind Odyssey House Victoria’s inaugural Short Story Competition

wherein writers of all ages and experience are invited to explore the theme “How did I find myself here?” within a 1500 word limit. Cash prizes will be given for the top three stories.
 

“Writing a short story is both scary and wonderful,” Kate says.
 
 
 
“Sometimes 1500 words seem too few, sometimes there’s too much space to fill. That doesn’t matter. What matters is telling a story, putting words on the page, finding the right words, enjoying the part where you sit and just think and wait for inspiration”.
 
 
 
“No short story is the same as any other, and each person has a thousand stories inside them. You never know what is going to come out. And you never know how someone else will read it. That’s like life, right?”
 
 
 
The Odyssey House Victoria Short Story competition theme is open to interpretation and does not necessarily need to reflect alcohol and other drug experiences; however writers should make a reference to alcohol/drugs somewhere in the story.
 
Entrants can submit up to three stories with entry costing $10 for one story, $20 for two, $25 for three. Entries close Friday 4th November.
 
Download the entry form and terms and conditions here.
 
 
 
* Photograph by Darren James


1. All entries must be the original work of the author and previously unpublished in any online or printed publication.
2. All entries must be fiction and address the theme “How did I find myself here?” This theme is open to interpretation. The author does not necessarily have to write about alcohol and/or other drugs, however, there should be a reference to alcohol and/or other drugs somewhere in the story.
3. Maximum length for the Odyssey House Victoria short story competition is 1,500 words. The judges reserve the right to reject work exceeding the word length.
4. Entry cost is $10 for one short story submission, $20 for two submissions and $25 for three, with a maximum of 3 entries per person.
5. Payment must accompany all entries and is non-refundable. Entries submitted without payment will not be accepted. Payment can be made by credit card, cheque or money order payable to Odyssey House Victoria.
6. All entries must be submitted in hard copy along with a completed entry form. Please submit 3 copies of your story – 1 for each of our judges.
7. All entries must be typed using double spacing, 12 point Arial or Times New Roman font on white A4 paper. Please leave at least 3cm margins.
8. The story’s name and page number must be included in the header or footer. Do not include the author's name anywhere on the story, except on the entry form.
9. Entries will not be returned.
10. The closing date for entries is Friday 4th November 2011. Winners will be contacted by Odyssey House Victoria and published on the Odyssey House website.
11. Prizes will be awarded for the top three stories. First place prize: $500, 12 month membership to Victorian Writer’s Centre. Second place prize: $200, a collection of novels by Australian writers. Third place prize: $100, a collection of novels by Australian writers.
12. The judges' decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
13. Copyright will remain with the author but Odyssey House Victoria reserves the right to publish the prize-winning stories on the Odyssey House website.
Odyssey House Victoria
660 Bridge Road
Richmond VIC 3121