The 2020 Page & Blackmore Short Story Competition is open for entries. This national short story competition is jointly sponsored by Nelson’s Page & Blackmore Booksellers and the Top of the South Branch, NZSA, with prizes awarded half as book vouchers and half as cash.

The word limit is 1500 words. Writers may submit as many entries to the competition as they like, provided an entry fee of $20 is paid for each story. All stories receive feedback, with the judge providing a written assessment of the ten short-listed stories. The top three entries receive prizes to the following value: First, $500; Second, $300; Third, $200. Submissions may be made either by email or by post, although email is preferred.

The competition will be judged by Mandy Hager, who in 2019 became the president of the New Zealand Society of Authors. Mandy is a multi-award-winning writer of fiction, predominantly for young adults. A trained teacher, she has an MA in Creative Writing. 

The closing date for entries is 31 March. The results of the competition will be announced at the 2020 Top of the South branch AGM, which will take place on Saturday 30 May, 2pm, at the Hearing House, Trafalgar Square, Nelson.

The full conditions of entry and an entry form for the 2020 Short Story Competition can be downloaded from http://www.topwriters.co.nz/page-blackmore-short-story-competition.html. If you have any queries, contact the competition organiser, Robyn Prokop, at toscomp102@gmail.com