Submissions are now open to our Mayor’s Short Story Writing Award 

Our Mayor’s Short Story Award in partnership with Mornington Peninsula Shire is back for a 3rd year!

Together with Mornington Peninsula Shire, we are proud to present the third year of the Mayor’s Short Story Writing Awards and invite all local writers to enter the Awards.

The Awards aim to encourage and support Mornington Peninsula writers of all abilities, celebrate our diverse talent, and showcase local stories and voices.

Applications open on 1 May and closes 23 June 2023.

The judging panel comprising notable authors Garry Disher, Else Fitzgerald, Monica Dux, Sam-Ellen Bound and Coral Vass will read through the entries before a shortlist will be revealed on 24 July.

Winners and highly commended writers will be presented their prizes at an Award Ceremony at the Peninsula Community Theatre in August. 

Award categories and prizes:

8 – 12 years judged by author Coral Vass
500-word limit / short creative fiction only
$500 prize and bookstore voucher

13 – 17 years judged by Samantha Ellen-Bound
1000-word limit / short creative fiction only
$500 prize and bookstore voucher

18+ years judged by Garry Disher, Monica Dux and Else Fitzgerald
2,000-word limit / short creative fiction only
$1,000 prize, bookstore voucher and two-week Police Point Artist Residency

Mornington Peninsula Shire is proudly funding the prize money and the residency at Police Point, while bookstore vouchers have been generously donated by local businesses Antipodes Bookshop & Gallery, Farrells Bookshop, Petersen’s Bookstore – Hastings Victoria and Rosebud Book Barn.

How to enter and eligibility criteria

To submit your short story, go to: mornpen.vic.gov.au/writingawards

Please read all Terms and Conditions for validity. It is a requirement of the competition that submissions are open to Mornington Peninsula residents only, and only one entry per person. Aspiring, emerging, and established writers with MP Shire are all welcome to submit.