Gippsland Writers Network Summer Short Story Competition

Theme: Salt

Send us your spec fic, horror, fantasy, literary, historical, or uncategorised words! Use your imagination, twist it up, make us stop and take a breath.

Entries must be fiction and address the theme of 'salt'.

Entries must be no longer than 500 words. The competition closes 5pm 28 February 2026.

Fees

$5 entry fee for GWN paid members; $10 standard fee.

• 1st Prize: $200 cash
• 2 nd Prize: $100 book pack from The Gumboot Collective
• 3rd Prize: $50 Collins voucher
• Gippsland Writer Prize: Two-year Writers Victoria regional membership

With thanks to Writers Victoria, Gumboot Collective and Collins Booksellers Sale for their generous support.

How to enter

• Pay at Eventbrite or by bank transfer to: Gippsland Writers Network, A/C Number: 160031340, BSB: 633-000.
• There is a discounted entry fee of $5 for Gippsland Writers Network paid members; the fee for all other entrants/non-members is $10.
• Send your entry as a Word document to gippslandwritersgroup@gmail.com with the subject heading: Gippsland Writers Network Summer Short Story Competition.
• In the body of your email please list your entry title, word count, your address to be considered for the Gippsland Writer prize, plus your bank transfer reference number or Eventbrite order number.

Conditions

• Entry is open to all citizens and residents of Australia aged 18 or over.
• The closing date is 5pm Saturday 28 February 2026. Entries received after this date will not be accepted.
• Your entry must be your own original work, not previously published or awarded any prize (shortlisting or certificates are acceptable, but no monetary prizes or trophies etc). Any stories found to have been generated using AI (artificial intelligence) or similar software will be disqualified.
• The entry must be based on the theme – SALT – in any way the author sees fit.
• You can enter more than one story but each entry must be paid for separately, and sent in a separate email.
• Entries must not be more than 500 words in length. The judges may disqualify entries that go over this limit.
• Stories should be typewritten, Arial or Times New Roman 12 pt, double spaced and page numbered. Handwritten entries will not be accepted.
• The title must appear at the top of the page. Your name should not appear on your entry.
• An entry without a payment will not be accepted.
• The judge’s decision is final. No feedback will be offered.
• Winners will be announced no later than April 2026. Only the winners will be contacted. The Gippsland Writer prize winner must currently reside in the region.
• Stories may be published on the Gippsland Writers Network website. Copyright remains with the author. Please advise if you do not wish your story to be published.