The Twisted Stringybark Short Story Award 2012 is open.  All genres accepted.  There are only two constraints.  Firstly, that the story must have a nifty twist at the end that surprises the reader and secondly, that the story must have some link, no matter how tenuous, to Australia.

The Twisted Stringybark Short Story Award 2012 will be presented to the writer whose story entertains the judges the most.  International entries are most welcome.

Stories can be fiction, non-fiction or a combination of both - see the FAQ.

The Twisted Stringybark Short Story Award 2012 offers the winner A$300 cash, a certificate, publication and a free copy of the anthology (both paperback and e-book).  The second prize winner receives A$125 cash, a certificate, publication and a free copy of the anthology (both paper back and e-book) and the third prize winner receives $50 cash, a certificate, publication and a free copy of the anthology (both paper back and e-book).  Authors of highly commended stories are also be invited to have their stories published.

There is an entry fee of $9.75 for one story, $18 for two stories or $25 for a maximum of three stories.

Stories must be sent via email.   Closing date for entries is 4 March 2012.  Winners will be notified by 16 May 2012 (Please note the date change from 16 April).  The word limit is 1500 words.

THIS COMPETITION IS CLOSED.  RESULTS WILL BE POSTED HERE ON 16 MAY 2012

The Twisted Stringybark Short Story Award 2012

This competition closed on 4 March 2012

Winner

Tainted Innocence — Sharon Haste

Second Place

The Sway — Holly Bruce

Equal Third Place

The Naked Truth — Julie Bowyer

Equal Third Place

Dumping Charlie — Monica Rogers

Highly Commended

Doubting Danny — Lesley Adams

The Text — Kathy Beiby

Unforgettable — Linda Carter

Crossroads — Jennifer Crane

Waiting for Father — April Edwards

The Pretender — Sue Healy

Roiling Ocean, Boiling Pot — Ian Holland

Keeping an Eye Out for Barbara and Ron — Michael Hunt

An Upturned Sky — Henry Johnston

The Archbishop’s Wife — Elsie Johnstone

Dave — Ella Joseph

I Hear Them — Beverley Lello

The Widow’s Garden — Kerry Lown Whalen

Getaway — James McLean

Tintinnabulation — that means tinkling — Rebecca Raisin

GSOH — Graeme Simsion

A Short Submission to the Coroner — Graeme Simsion

Unconventional — Simone Sinna

Small Town — Pauline Sorensen

What a Bugger! — Raymond Southall

Once Upon a Ferry — Carmel Summers

You Want to Go Crazy — Valerie Volk

The Committee Meeting — Denise Wild

The Bullet — Michael Wilkinson

Those Who Went Before — Michael Wilkinson

Afternoon at the Show — Claire Wood

Light of My Life — Emma Ziemer

The anthology of these winning stories, Tainted Innocence, is available in the Bookshop in both paperback and as an e-book.

Please click on the cover image below and you will be taken to the Bookshop for a browse.