THE NZ WRITERS COLLEGE

For Emerging Writers in New Zealand

THEME:
Only the best of intentions…

The annual NZ Writers College Short Story Competition is held to acknowledge excellence in creative writing in the Short Story form.

The competition is open to any writer residing in New Zealand who is unpublished, or has been published fewer than four times.

DEADLINE MIDNIGHT 30 SEPTEMBER 2017 COMPETITION RULES: 

• We aim to support beginner writers. We only accept stories from writers who have never been published, or who have been published fewer than four times in any genre. This includes fiction and non-fiction, in any publication (for payment or otherwise). Journalists, copywriters or web writers must please not apply. People who made a living from writing at any point in their life (e.g. decades earlier) are also not eligible for entry. We make an exception for unpaid articles for community or work newsletters, or blogs, where the circulation is under 1000.
• The competition is open to anyone living in New Zealand over the age of 16.
• Entrants must submit a story of maximum word count: 2000 words. Any entries exceeding the word count by 50 words will not be considered.
• Writers can interpret and represent the theme in any way they choose. Stories that appear to be entirely unrelated to the theme will not be considered. Writers must produce their own title.
• Only one story per entrant is allowed.
• We only accept entries written in English.
• The competition closes at midnight on 30 September 2017. The shortlist will be published by 25 October, and the winners announced and displayed on our website on Friday 10 November.
• Prizewinners will be notified via email as well as on our web site; please ensure you supply a valid email address with your entry.
• Prize money will be paid via electronic transfer.
• Stories must not have been previously published. Entrants must own full copyright to the story submitted.
• Writers retain copyright, but give permission for their work to be displayed on our website.
• The judges’ decision is final; no disputes will be entered into.
• All submissions and enquiries can be sent to Nichola Meyer: Nichola@nzwriterscollege.co.nz
• If your entry has not been acknowledged within three working days, please contact us as your email may have got lost in transit.
• NZ Writers College reserves the right to extend the competition deadline, or cancel the competition should the entries not be of publishable quality or up to the required standard.

ENTRY FORMAT:

• Only e-mail submissions are acceptable, with stories attached as Word Documents. Mark your entry clearly with the subject line: NZWC Annual Short Story Competition.
• Your email must state your full name, as well as the title of your story, total word count and confirm your email address.
• Do not include your name on any page of your story. All entries will be judged blind.
• Use a font such as Arial or Times New Roman, size 12 or more. Use 1.5 or double spacing between lines. We prefer a clear line between paragraphs rather than indenting.
• Make sure your story has been edited and polished according to tips and guidelines provided on our college site under “Writing Resources”, or on our webzine. http://www.nzwriterscollege.co.nz/Writers+Resources/2017+NZ+Writers+College+Short+Stort+Competition.html