Short Fiction Competition
The KSP Writers' Centre is proud to present its annual Short Fiction Competition for Australian writers. Entry is free for youth categories, thanks to generous sponsorship from the Shire of Mundaring. Judge will be looking for high-quality, original and unpublished writing with engaging characters and a compelling narrative. All fiction styles and themes are welcome.
Competition Dates:
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Opening: Friday 5 September 2025 (2:00pm AWST)
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Closing: Sunday 26 October 2026 (11:59pm AWST)
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​Note: Late entries will not be accepted; All entrants will be required to complete an AI declaration.
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Categories
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Youth Short Fiction (up to 17 years)
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Open Short Fiction (18+ years)
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Prizes (subject to judge’s discretion):
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Open First Prize: $300 + weekend residency at the KSP Writers’ Centre (non-transferable, $300 value)
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Youth First Prize: $100
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Second Prize: $150 (Open), $50 (Youth)
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Up to five Commended Certificates in both categories
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Mundaring Young Writers Encouragement Award (for under 14s): $25
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Note: Select entrants will be invited to read their story at the KSP End-of-Year Awards Ceremony in December.
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Entry Limits and Fees:
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Youth: Free | No limit on number of entries
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Open: $10 per entry | No limit on number of entries
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Word Count Limits:
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Youth: Max 1,000 words
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Open: Max 2,500 words
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Eligibility:
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You must be an Australian resident to enter
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Entries must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere
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Entry Formatting Rules
All entries must follow the formatting rules listed on the Submittable entry form. Submissions that do not meet these requirements may be disqualified.
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How to Submit
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Set up a free Submittable account
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Click the Submit button below
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Choose the correct competition category
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Prepare your entry according to the Terms of Use and Formatting Rules
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Complete the Submittable form and submit before the deadline
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Note: You may request to edit your entry via Submittable up to one week before the deadline. After that, changes are not permitted.
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Queries
📧 office@kspwriterscentre.com
📞 08 9294 1872
🕘 Office hours: Monday–Friday, 10am–2pm AWST
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Ready to submit your entry?
Frequently Asked Questions:
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I am a teacher. Can I submit multiple entries on behalf of my students?
Yes. However, each student is only allowed to submit one entry per category. Please ensure that all entries follow the correct formatting guidelines and that each entry clearly identifies the student’s name in the Submittable form (not in the document).
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Can I use the school’s contact details when submitting entries for students?
Yes. You may use the school’s address, email, and phone number. Please note: The email and phone number must be regularly monitored, as we may need to contact you with questions or important updates; Any certificates or prizes won will be posted to the address provided in the submission form. Please ensure this is accurate.
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Can students use a nom de plume (pen name)?
Yes. For youth entries, students may use a nom de plume for publication and public announcements. To protect privacy, if no pen name is provided, we will use the author’s initials for any public announcements.​
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Can I make changes to my entry after submitting it?
You can request to edit your submission up to one week before the deadline. Please send a message via your Submittable account.
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What if I don't have a Submittable account?
You’ll need to create a free Submittable account to enter. It’s quick and easy to set up. Simply follow the prompts on the submission page.
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Do I need to pay to enter?
Youth categories: Free; Open category: $10
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What are the formatting requirements?
Formatting requirements are listed on the Submittable entry form for each category. Entries that do not meet formatting guidelines may be disqualified. Please read the instructions carefully before submitting.
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When will the results be announced?
Winners will be announced at the KSP End-of-Year Awards Ceremony in December, and results will be published on the KSP website and social media after the event. Shortlisted entrants may be contacted prior to the ceremony.