Writing | English

Writing Competitions

These writing competitions are a great way to get published. All top winners will be entered into the year or biyearly anthology (even if you are not a member). Win! Scores are based on: Interest, Plot, Style, Character, Settings, Grammar/Spelling, fit to theme, and publishibility. Don't be scared off by all the criteria. Instead, write the best story you can, and the judges will take care of the rest.

It's FREE to enter, so you may as well enter just for fun.

Upcoming competition:

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP - Write 3000 words with this theme in mind.

Rules are similar to below. Full details soon.

Competition will begin In December - Due date will be June 2020.

Read the most recent winners' stories HERE

Flash Fiction

Click HERE

Melbourne Writers Anthology 2019 - Download

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers

Renni Browne & Dave King

Current

Competition

Deadline is 8 March at midnight 2020

2000 word story based around the theme MY FAMILY (it doesn't have to be your family, it can be a fictional character's family). This means it could be about almost anything, and any genre. Open to all countries, but must be written in English.

Prizes vary each year, but only members can claim prizes (current prize is for one year free WWC membership accumulative to what membership you already hold. Members also receive a first prize certificate - mailed within Australia only).

You can write your story in third or first person. These different ways to write will be judged separately. Which means we will have two first prizes, and four honourable mentions. Six winners in total.

Q. Why is third and first person writing separate?

A. It creates a fairer environment for the writers and judges.

Email entries to: melbournewriters@gmail.com

(new email coming soon: wwc@worldwriterscollective.com)

Include these details within the email:

The title of your story and your name.

Word count of your story.

POV your story is written in (point of view).

Your email should look something like this:

-Competition entry for themed story: STRANGER

-Name: Jane Doe - member (or non-member)

-Title: The Tale of Hendrick-Word Count: 1986 words

-POV (third or first person): Third

First prize is Free membership for a year for both first person and third person entries (for existing members only).
All six winners will have their story posted at the top of the WWC website, and will be included in the end of year anthology for 2018 (membership not required).
Judges are the WWC members. But will not judge their own story. You will also receive free useful feedback on your submitted story (membership not required).

***ONE entry only per person***

Let other writers help you with your editing. It will greatly improve your chances of winning. You can do this by editing your story as much as you can, then putting it into this folder so others can check it over for you:

www.dropbox.com/editing

For instructions go HERE

When writing short stories, it's best to keep to one character (maximum of three). You don't get a lot of space to establish a character's back story. So their personality needs to come from their actions and appearance. For example: Dirk yanked on the dog's lead and was rewarded with a yelp. He twisted his clean shaven face into a grin.

In these few sentences we already know a lot about him. Keep it in mind when writing each sentence of your own.

Rules and FAQ

One entry per person.
Fiction or non fiction is ok and any genre is ok.
Entries are open to all ages and all countries.
Entries to be submitted to:
Format each story to 12 point Times New Roman.
Please supply your story as a RTF or Word doc.
The story should not have been published anywhere else (except a personal blog, which is fine). Once the competition is over, you can submit and publish anywhere you like. This is regardless of whether you have won the competition or not.
Do not include your name on the story, only within the email.
We are not strict on the word count. A few words either way is fine. However, the judges will likely take it into account that you are not able to come close to the word count, and may take points off accordingly.
If you are in the top three of either third person writing or first person writing, then your story will be included on the website and included within the end of year anthology. Your submission is acknowledgement of this. You will however, retain all rights to your story. You do not have to be a member to be included within the anthology.
Only members can claim prizes.
Changes may be made to these rules at any time.
Results will be posted on this website 1-3 months after the deadline for submission.
Your submission is final. No changes can be made to your story once you have submitted. So please make sure you put your story away for a few days, then look at it again with fresh eyes before you submit to us.

Past Competitions

Deadline is 9 December at midnight 2019 - extended time - so start writing!

2500 word story based around the theme THE SADDEST STORY. Which means it could be about almost anything, and any genre. Open to all countries, but must be written in English.

Finalists will be announced early 2020. First and second place will be contacted by email.

Deadline is 31 December at midnight 2018/19.

2500 word story based around the theme STRANGER. Which means it could be about almost anything, and any genre. Open to all countries, but must be written in English.

Finalists will be announced early 2018. First and second place will be contacted by email.

Deadline is 11th March at midnight 2018.

2000 word story written in third person based around the word BETRAYAL. Which means it could be about almost anything, and any genre, even non-fiction.

Finalists will be announced close to mid 2018. First and second place will be contacted by email.

Deadline is 25th December at midnight 2017.

500 word story written in third person based around holidays or special events. Which means it could be about almost anything, from a birthday to Halloween.

Finalists will be announced early 2018. First and second place will be contacted by email.

Deadline is 1st July at midnight 2018.

3000 word story based around the theme HEROES AND VILLAINS. Which means it could be about almost anything, and any genre. Open to all countries, but must be written in English.

Finalists will be announced early 2019. First and second place will be contacted by email.

Deadline is 16 June at midnight 2019.

3000 word story based around the theme TOO HOT TO HANDLE. Which means it could be about almost anything, and any genre. Open to all countries, but must be written in English.

Finalists will be announced early 2019. First and second place will be contacted by email.