Australian Book Review welcomes entries to the 2025 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize, one of the world’s leading prizes for an original short story. The prize – worth a total of AU$12,500 – is open to all writers writing in English. The winner will receive $6,000; second place will receive $4,000 and third place will receive $2,500. All three shortlisted stories will be published in Australian Book Review.
We seek original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject and in any style.
Prize Money: $12,500 (first prize: $6,000, second prize: $4,000, third prize: $2,500)
Dates: Opens 10 February and closes 5 May 2025, 11:59 pm (AEST)
Judges: Julie Janson, John Kinsella, Maria Takolander
More information
Please read our Frequently Asked Questions and Terms and Conditions.
Exclusivity
Entries may be offered elsewhere during the judging of the Jolley Prize. If an entrant is longlisted and has their story accepted elsewhere, the entrant will have 24 hours to decide if they wish to withdraw their story from the Jolley Prize. Exclusivity is essential for longlisted stories to remain in contention for shortlisting.
Entry fees
Online entry (current ABR subscriber) – $20
Online entry (standard/non subscriber) – $30*
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- Non-subscribers will receive digital access to ABR free of charge for four months.
ABR warmly acknowledges the generous support of ABR Patron Ian Dickson AM, who makes the Jolley Prize possible in this lucrative form.