The KSP Writers' Centre is proud to present this annual spooky story competition,  sponsored by Little Black Dress Productions. The judges will be looking for good quality original, unpublished writing with engaging characters and a compelling narrative including an excellent beginning, middle and end. Entries must be rated PG and should address the set theme.

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Results will be announced at an awards ceremony and book launch event in winter (August) and published on social media and the KSP website thereafter. Shortlisted entrants will be contacted prior to the awards ceremony with an invitation to attend and read an extract of their entry. 

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See here for a list of the most recent winners.

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How to Enter

You will need a Submittable account to enter this competition. Don't worry! It is free and easy to set up.

Note: Teachers cannot submit multiple entries on behalf of their students. Each student will need to set up their own Submittable account and submit their entry individually.

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Sponsors

KSP acknowledges Little Black Dress Productions and Wild Weeds Press as the primary sponsors for this competition, and the Shire of Mundaring for their ongoing support of the Centre.

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Deadline

NOW CLOSE​

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Eligibility

Young writers up to 17 years of age: You must be an Australian resident to enter this competition.

Adult writers 18 years and over: You must be a West Australian resident to enter this competition.

All submissions: Entries must be unpublished, original, and not under consideration elsewhere. They must adhere with the Terms of Use and Entry Formatting Rules (view these in Submittable).

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Entry Formatting Rules

Please note there are rules on how to format your entry. You will find this in Submittable when you commence an entry submission for this competition.

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Theme

The theme for 2024 was 'Don't Look Up'.

 

Costs

Adults: $10 per entry

Youth: Free

 

Limits

YOUTH: Max 500 words, one entry only (Australian residents)

ADULT: Max 1,200, unlimited entries (WA residents only)

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How to Submit

Set up a Submittable account

Prepare your entry according to the formatting rules (refer to Submittable entry form)

Complete Submittable entry form and submit before the deadline (see button below)

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Can I change my entry after submitting?

You can request to edit your submission up to one week prior to the deadline; just send KSP a message via your Submittable account. 

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Prizes

*subject to discretion of judge*

WA adult first prize: $100, certificate, complimentary copy of Spooky Story anthology
WA adult second prize: $50, certificate, complimentary copy of Spooky Story anthology
WA youth first prize: $100, certificate, complimentary copy of Spooky Story anthology

WA youth second prize: $25, certificate, complimentary copy of Spooky Story anthology
Youth interstate award: $50, certificate, complimentary copy of Spooky Story anthology

Shire of Mundaring resident encouragement award in both youth and adult categories: $25, certificate, complimentary copy of Spooky Story anthology
Shortlist/Highly Commended/Commended awards: Digital certificate and publication in anthology.

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Competition Judge:

Carolyn Wren

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www.carolynwren.com

www.facebook.com/carolynwrenauthor

 

Carolyn is a Perth hills author of Romance and Suspense novels, who spent most of her working life in the mining industry.  When a story popped into her brain, she began writing in 2009 and entered a few contests, just for fun.  Much to her surprise, she won the Australian based Emerald Award for unpublished manuscripts, and one week later received a commendation from the International Daphne Du Maurier Awards for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. This gave her the incentive to keep writing, and to pursue a publishing deal.   As at July 2021 Carolyn has 21 books, 7 first place trophies and 17 finalist certificates from contests all around the world.  Her primary Australian publisher is Gumnut Press with anthology stories through Serenity Press.

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Previous winners

See here for a list of our most recent winners.

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