The Common Thread Short Story Competition 2012
for a longer short story of between 3000 and 5000 words.
The Common Thread Writing Group is offering a total of $700 in prize money for first and second prizes for this competition. The group is also offering an optional feedback report for an additional fee. Our aim is to encourage and promote talented new writers.
Winning stories will be offered publication in The Common Thread Anthology 2012, which will be published in December 2012.
The Competition will be judged by Pippa Kay, who will be looking for well written stories demonstrating depth of characterisation and attention to story structure.
First Prize: $500 plus possible publication in The Common Thread Anthology 2012.
Second Prize: $200 plus possible publication in The Common Thread Anthology 2012.
Closing Date: Friday 27th April 2012
Results by end of June 2012.
Entry Fee: $10.00
Optional Fee for feedback report: $15.00.
Guidelines and Conditions
1. All entries to be original and unpublished* work of the author, and not concurrently submitted to any other competition. Entries must not have received a cash prize in any competition.
* Unpublished: Where no payment has been received by the author for the story. For example, a story published in a small print run anthology or newsletter may be considered unpublished. Similarly, a story that has received a non-cash award in a previous competition may be entered in this competition.
2. The competition is open to all Australian residents except members of the Common Thread Writing Group.
3. Each story to be accompanied by the $10 entry fee. If a feedback report is required please fill out the details on the entry form and enclose a further $15. If multiple entries are submitted please include details of all entries on the entry form. Payment to be made by cheque or money order.
4. Entries will not be returned unless an envelope with sufficient postage is included with the entry.
5. Entries to be printed on one side of A4 paper and text should be double spaced. Please number pages and include the title at the top or bottom on each page.
6. Do not put your name on the manuscript. Your name and details are to be on the entry form only, which will be separated from the entry by the competition convenor. Entries are then randomly numbered before judging.
7. The judge's decision is final.
8. Copyright remains with the author.
9. Closing date is 27th April and late entries will not be considered.
10. Stories to be between 3000 and 5000 words in length.
11. Results and Judge's Report will be sent to authors by email or by post if stamped, self-addressed envelope is supplied.
12. Please do not re-submit any story that was judged by Pippa Kay in this competition in 2010 or 2011.
13. Entries with appropriate cheque or money order should be sent to:
The Common Thread Short Story Competition Convenor
PO Box 1083
Hunters Hill NSW 2110
Please address any enquiries to Rosemary Hansell
Entry Form in PDF can be downloaded here.
Optional Feedback Reports
Please include extra $15 per story if you would like a feedback report. The report will be about a page in length and cover topics such as story structure, characterisation, point of view and general writing style. The report may point out perceived weaknesses but will not include suggestions for improvement.
Pippa Kay has judged many short story competitions in the past and hopes to address the problem of the lack of feedback given to authors.
About The Common Thread
We are a group of writers who meet once a week to read and give feedback on our writing. Writing is our common thread. Most of us attended Pippa Kay's Creative Writing classes and were invited to join the group. We've been in existence as a writing group for over a decade now and since 2004 have produced an anthology at the end of each year containing the best short stories and poetry written by members of the group during that year.
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Please address any enquiries to Rosemary Hansell
Entry Form in PDF can be downloaded here.