Annual Margaret River Press Short Story Writing Competition 2016
To be edited by Laurie Steed
The Margaret River Press Short Story Competition is open for entries with a closing date of October 14, 2015. The competition is open to authors of any age and nationality. Winning and shortlisted stories will be published in both print and eBook format.
First Prize sponsored by Margaret River Press: $500 cash prize, $500 contribution towards an airfare to attend the launch of the collection and 3 nights accommodation (provided by Margaret River Press) and a two week residency in Margaret River to be taken up at any time. Expenses during this period and transportation to and from Margaret River will have to be met by the winner.
Second Prize sponsored by Margaret River Press: $250 in cash and two week residency in Margaret River River to be taken up at any time. Expenses during this period and transportation to and from Margaret River will have to be met by the winner.
Southwest Prize sponsored by Edith Cowan University (Bunbury): $250 cash prize. (Southwest Prize is open to residents of Bunbury to Augusta, including Dardanup, Boyanup, Donnybrook, Balingup, Greenbushes, Bridgetown, Nannup, Manjimup, Pemberton, Quinninup and Northcliffe).
All monies received from entry fees go towards fees for judges, publishing fees and administrative expenses.
Note: should the winner be from Western Australia then an airfare to attend the Sydney or Melbourne launch will form part of the prize.
ENTRY CONDITIONS
Please read the above instructions carefully and avoid emailing or calling Margaret River Press. However, if you do have a query please email: info@margaretriverpress.com
Entries open Monday, August 3rd and close Friday, October 9th 2015. All submissions received after the above date must be postmarked October 9th, 2015. Please send three (3) copies of your story to: Margaret River Press, PO Box 47, Witchcliffe, 6286. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT ELECTRONIC COPIES.
Entry Fee: AUD $12 per entry and $10 for additional entries. Fees must be paid via direct deposit or by cheque made out to Margaret River Press. Overseas cheques will not be accepted. An entry cover page (see details below) must accompany each story. Please do not staple your entry details to your story.
Entry Limit: There is no entry limit but a fee per entry applies.
Theme: Open.
Word Count: There is no minimum but a maximum of 3000 words applies.
Format: Page numbers must be shown on the bottom right hand corner of each page of the story,the title of the story is to appear on the top left hand corner of each page. The writer’s name is not to be shown on any of the pages of the story.
Stories must be typed on A4 paper, with 1.5 spacing and in 12pt Times New Roman typeface. Entrants must submit three printed copies of each story. Entries will not be returned.
If your story is longlisted you will be required to send an electronic copy.
Copyright remains with the writer. Margaret River Press has first option to print the work in a publication of selected work from the competition. Writers also consent to their work being published electronically in whole or in part by Margaret River Press. Publication may also occur in a physical display or through the local media. Entries must be an original story by the submitting writer and not previously published, shortlisted or a prizewinner in any other competition.
Acknowledgement of receipt: Due to the large number of entries, individual entries will not be acknowledged. We provide updates of longlisting, shortlisting and winners on our social media pages (Facebook. Twitter and through our newsletter. To subscribe to our newsletter please visit our webstie : http://margaretriverpress.com/
and enter details on Join Our Newsletter.
Story selection: The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence or discussion will be entered into. Judges are not compelled to award a prize in any category.
Condition of Award: A condition of entry is that the general category winner (if resident in Australia) and the Southwest winner be available to participate in events in the promotion of the publication.
Editing: The editor of the collection reserves the right to undertake editing of the works selected in consultation with the writer. The collection will be edited by Laurie Steed. Laurie is the Patricia Hackett Prize winning author of You Belong Here, and lives in Perth, Western Australia. His work has been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and published in Best Australian Stories, The Age, Meanjin, Westerly, Island, The Sleepers Almanac and elsewhere. He teaches Advanced Fiction for Writers Victoria, is a member of the Editorial Board of Margaret River Press, and in 2014 he became the first Australian writer granted fellowship in the history of the Sozopol Fiction Seminars.
Withdrawal of an entry from the competition is permitted upon notification in writing to Margaret River Press. Entry fees will not be refunded.
Eligibility: Staff and representatives of Margaret River Press are not eligible to enter.
Announcement of winners: Due to the large number of entries only shortlisted writers and winners will be informed.
TIMELINE
The longlist will be completed by end of January 2016.
The shortlist and winners will be selected and informed by the end of February 2016.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
There is no entry form provided but an A4 page containing the entrant’s details must be sent with each entry. Please provide a typed sheet with following details as set out below. Fees must be paid by direct deposit or cheque.
- Fees
- Direct deposit transaction receipt number:
- Date of direct deposit and name of account holder.
- Or please find cheque attached.
- Entry
- Title of story.
- Word count.
- Entrant’s name.
- Entrant’s email contact .
- Entrant’s telephone no: (mobile if available)
- Entrant’s postal address (Street or PO Box number, Postcode and State) :
- Eligible for SW Writer Prize (please provide location).
- Agree to receive our newsletter and other email notices: Yes/No
Declaration:
I agree to comply with the Conditions of Entry and declare this story to be my original work.
Writer’s Signature _______________________________________
Date_________________________
Deposit details:
Account Name: Helm Wood Publishing Pty Ltd
Bank: Bank West
Branch : Perth
Account No: 4881707
BSB: 306-089
BIC/Swift Code: BKWAAU6P
Description to be used: MRSS2016 and initials of first name and surname
Cheques are to be made payable to: Margaret River Press
All entries to be mailed to: Margaret River Press, PO Box 47, Witchcliffe, WA 6286.
Please read the instructions carefully and do not send queries that are covered in the instructions as you will not receive a response.
Enquiries to info@margaretriverpress.com
Reading, Writing and Riesling 