Stringybark Open Award 2026

PREVIOUS COMPETITIONS

PRODUCED THESE ANTHOLOGIES AMONG MANY OTHERS

ENTRY FEES

One story - A$15.00

Two stories - A$28.00

Three stories - A$39.00

We have streamlined the Entry Process

Step 1. Read the Entry Conditions

Step 2. Pay the Entry Fee

Step 3. Complete the Entry Form

USEFUL LINKS

Entry Conditions

Pay the Entry Fee

Who are the judges?

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Authors Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist, along with Stringybark Publishing are proud to sponsor the Stringybark Open Short Story Award 2026.

This is our flagship short story award and we are excited to read your entries. This is an open-themed award although your short story must have a link to Australia (no matter how small and inconsequential – a passing koala is fine with us).

The story must be:

  •    1500 words or fewer in length;

  •     have a link to Australia;

  •     written for an audience aged 16 and above.

We have an award pool of over $1420 in cash and books to encourage you in this endeavour.

Reading other stories is a great way to gain inspiration for your own writing. Head over to the Bookshop to read some great short stories from other Stringybark anthologies.

THIRD PRIZE

A$150 cash + publication + e-book + paperback + choice of any two Stringybark anthologies

(Value $220)

SECOND PRIZE

A$300 cash + publication + e-book + paperback + choice of any two Stringybark anthologies

(Value $365)

FIRST PRIZE

A$500 cash + publication + e-book + paperback + choice of any two Stringybark anthologies

(Value $565)

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Publication + e-book

(Value

$5 x 30 stories = $150)

FOURTH PRIZE

A$50 cash + publication + e-book + paperback + choice of any two Stringybark anthologies

(Value $120)