This competition calls for works of fiction up to 1888 words – a reference to the year of Mansfield’s birth. We take our themes from Mansfield’s writing. This year, the theme is ‘wild places’. All submissions must follow the theme, however loosely.

You can write your work in any form – short story or hybrid or another imaginative form, but please note this is not a competition for flash fiction. Stories should be considerably longer than a flash fiction.

Submissions need not be directly related to Katherine Mansfield.

Closes 14 August.

For full terms and conditions and information on the judges visit their website.

Prizes

NZ $500 for first prize, proudly sponsored by Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature

Book bundles in the value of NZ $150 and $100 for the second and third prizes, respectively.

All shortlisted stories will be published online. Winners will be invited to read at the celebration taking place mid-October – details tba.

Timetable for the 2026 competition

July 3: submissions open
August 14: submissions close
Mid- September: shortlist announced
Mid-October: prize-giving; details tba

How to Enter

All entries must be received electronically. If you are not online and wish to submit, please have a friend submit via email.

2026 submission fee: NZ $15.00 per story; 2 for NZ $25 (up to 2 per entrant)