NH Summer Short Story Comp
$1000 dollar prize pool. Opens short story writing Competition. Mid February Deadline. No Entry Fee for submissions before the New Year.
Anonymously judged short story competition for emerging and established writers, with a $1,000 prize pool and publication in Ninth Heaven.
What you can win
The Ninth Heaven Writing Prize offers:
- First place: $700 AUD and publication in Ninth Heaven.
- Second place: $200 AUD and publication in Ninth Heaven.
- Early Bird: $100 AUD and publication in Ninth Heaven.
- Shortlist: All shortlisted stories will be published on Ninth Heaven, with a dedicated digital feature.
Prize amounts are in Australian dollars (AUD). The total prize pool is $1,000 AUD.
All submissions prior to January 1 are elligible for the early bird.
About the prize
Ninth Heaven is an independent literary project, based in Sydney Australia, dedicated to works that demonstrate human flourishing. Our annual Writing Prize seeks short fiction that is ambitious in its scope, attentively crafted and engaging.
We welcome work from writers at any stage of their practice. Stories may be quiet or bold, realist or experimental, so long as they show a clear sense of voice and purpose.
All shortlisted stories will be published in Ninth Heaven, with cash prizes awarded to the top two entries, and the best other entry which is submitted before January 1.
How to enter
- Prepare your story. Write a short story between 1,000 and 2,000 words. Ensure it has not been published before in any form (print, digital, or broadcast).
- Format your manuscript. Use 12 pt Times New Roman, double spaced, with standard margins. Remove your name and any identifying information from the document.
- Upload via Tally. Complete the submission form and upload your manuscript as a .docx or .pdf file.
- Pay the entry fee. Each submission before January 1 requires no entry fee. Submissions after this date have a $10 AUD entry fee. You may submit as many stories as you like; each is treated as a separate entry.
All entries are reviewed in an initial reading round, with shortlisted stories passed to the judging panel.
Formatting & eligibility
Manuscript formatting
- 1,000–2,000 words (inclusive).
- 12 pt Times New Roman, double spaced.
- Submit in .docx or .pdf format.
- No author name or identifying details in the file or file name (for anonymous judging).
- Pages numbered where possible.
Originality & rights
- Stories must not have been previously published in print, online, or broadcast.
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please withdraw promptly if your story is accepted elsewhere.
- Writers retain full republication rights. Ninth Heaven requests first digital publication rights for shortlisted stories.
Who can enter?
- Open to writers aged 18 and over.
- International entries are welcome.
- Entries must be written in English.
Content
- Any genre or style of short fiction is welcome, provided it is not gratuitously harmful or unlawful.
- We encourage stories that show care for language and a clear sense of structure and theme.
Key dates
Submissions accepted via Tally from this date.
Entries received after the deadline cannot be considered.
Shortlisted writers will be contacted by email before the public announcement.
Winners announced at the awards night, later published on Ninth Heaven
Anonymous, careful reading
The prize is judged anonymously. All manuscripts are stripped of names and identifying details before they are passed to the judging panel.
Stories will be read for clarity, command of language, emotional or intellectual depth, and overall coherence of form. We are not seeking any single “type” of story; we are looking for work that feels fully realised on its own terms.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Submissions are unlimited, and each story requires its own $10 AUD entry fee, if submitted after the Early bird deadline, and separate Tally form.
No. For the purposes of this prize, publication includes websites, newsletters, blogs, and public social media posts. Entries must not have appeared publicly in any form.
If special request emails are sent for feedback we are willing to provide feeback after the announcement of the Winners.
Shortlisted writers will be contacted by email using the details provided in the Tally form, before the public announcement on the Ninth Heaven website.
Yes. If your story is accepted elsewhere or you wish to withdraw it for any reason, please contact us as soon as possible with your name and the title of your entry.
Key terms & conditions
- By entering, you confirm that the story is your own original work and that you hold the copyright.
- Stories must not have been previously published in print, online or broadcast, and must not be under exclusive consideration elsewhere at the time of judging.
- Entries must be submitted via the official Tally form within the stated entry period. Late, incomplete or unreadable entries cannot be considered.
- Judging decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding individual outcomes.
- Shortlisted authors grant Ninth Heaven first digital publication rights and the non-exclusive right to host the story on the Ninth Heaven website and associated promotional materials. Authors retain all republication rights.
- Prize amounts and timelines are subject to change in the event of circumstances beyond the organiser’s control. Any changes will be communicated on the official Ninth Heaven channels.
- If you have further questions please contact us at submissions@ninthheaven.co
A full set of terms and conditions will be made available on request and published alongside this overview.
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