Shakespeare on the River Festival Presents:

The Sheila Malady Short Story Competition

The Sheila Malady Short Story competition is on again. Now in its tenth year, organisers are keen to hear from writers. This year our short story theme is ELEMENTS.  Writers are free to interpret the theme in any way they choose. Send us your best original work of fiction. Entries must be 2000 words or less. 

Winners will be announced at the opening night of the festival at The Stratford Courthouse Theatre on Thursday 18th April. For full terms and conditions of the competition, and to check out our past winners, please click here

With thanks to our major sponsor The Sister Cities of Stratford - Victoria and Collins Booksellers in Sale, we are able to offer prizes across three categories.:

The first prize is:

  • $300 cash

  • 2x tickets to the Community Play, The Merry Wives of Windsor

  • A beautiful wooden quill crafted by local artist Gavin Roberts

  • A 90 min coaching/mentoring session with bestselling local author Lisa Ireland via Zoom

A local prize for a writer residing in Gippsland will also be offered:

  • Collins Bookstore voucher

  • 2x tickets to the Community Play, The Merry Wives of Windsor

  • A 60 min coaching/mentoring session with bestselling local author Lisa Ireland via Zoom or in person

A prize for a young writer under the age of 18 years will be awarded:

  • Collins Bookstore voucher

Entry is $5 per story. 

Closing date for entries is Friday, March 31, 2024 at 11.59pm AEDT
 

 
 

Submission Guidelines and Conditions of Entry

  • An original work of fiction not exceeding 2,000 words within the theme “Elements”. Entries should be unpublished and not awarded a prize in another competition

  • The competition is open to all ages and nationalities. Entries must be in English.

  • Entries should be 12 pt font size, Times New Roman font, 1.5 line spacing, and accompanied by an entry form. Only the title and not the author's name should appear on the manuscript. Pages should be numbered

  • Entries will be judged anonymously and on merit.

  • Only online entries will be accepted (Please note the change from previous years). Please submit in doc, docx or pdf format. Entries must be submitted using this link

  • Multiple entries are acceptable. All entries attract a $5 entry fee and should be accompanied by a separate entry form.

  • The entry fee is to be paid via direct deposit to the Shakespeare on Avon Shakespeare Association (SOASA)

  • Please identify deposits using "surname" and “writing comp”. The direct debit details are as follows:

         Stratford on Avon Shakespeare Association
         BSB: 633000 ACC: 148093784

  • Closing date for entries is Sunday, March 31, 2024 at 11.59pm AEDT.

  • Copyright remains with the author. We reserve the right to publish the winning entries on our website and promote them during the Festival.

  • The judge’s decision is final. Prizes are not transferable into cash. We reserve the right to not award a prize if the entries are not of a high standard or fail to address the theme or guidelines.

  • Previous winning entries can be found on our website, http://www.stratfordshakespeare.com.au/about-the-competition

  • First prize includes $300 cash, 2x tickets to the Community Play, The Merry Wives of Windsor, a beautiful wooden quill crafted by local artist Gavin Roberts, and a 90 min coaching/mentoring session with bestselling local author Lisa Ireland via Zoom.

  • The local prize for a writer residing in Gippsland is also offered and includes a Collins Book voucher, 2x tickets to the Community Play, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and a 60 min coaching/mentoring session with bestselling local author Lisa Ireland via Zoom or in person

  • A prize is also being offered for a young writer aged under 18, also sponsored by Collins Booksellers, Sale.

  • Good luck and we hope to read your story!