Calling all aspiring writers!
Published on 01 May 2023
Mornington Peninsula Shire and Peninsula Writers' Club present the third year of the Mayor’s Short Story Awards and invite local emerging writers to enter the Awards.
The Awards aim to encourage and support Mornington Peninsula writers of all abilities, celebrate our diverse talent, and showcase local stories and voices.
The judging panel comprising notable authors Garry Disher, Else Fitzgerald, Monica Dux, Sam-Ellen Bound and Coral Vass will read through the entries before a shortlist will be revealed on 24 July. Winners and highly commended writers will be presented their prizes at an Award Ceremony at the Peninsula Community Theatre on Thursday 24 August.
Award categories and prizes:
- 8 – 12 years judged by author Coral Vass
500-word limit / short creative fiction only
$500 prize and bookstore voucher
- 13 – 17 years judged by Samantha Ellen-Bound
1000-word limit / short creative fiction only
$500 prize and bookstore voucher
- 18+ years judged by Garry Disher, Monica Dux and Else Fitzgerald
2,000-word limit / short creative fiction only
$1,000 prize and two-week Police Point Artist Residency
Mornington Peninsula Shire is proudly funding the prize money and the residency at Police Point, while bookstore vouchers have been generously donated by local businesses Antipodes Gallery and Bookshop, Farrell’s Bookshop, Peterson’s Bookstore and Rosebud Book Barn.
How to enter and eligibility criteria
To submit your short story, go to: mornpen.vic.gov.au/writingawards
Open to Mornington Peninsula residents only. Only one entry per person.
Applications open 1 May and close 23 June 2023.
Quote attributable to Mayor Councillor Steve Holland:
“These Awards continue to support our local creative community. My hope is that the Awards also ignite the joy of writing and increase literacy for our young people.
“Now in its third year, we can finally host the Awards Ceremony in person. I’m looking forward to celebrating local talents with the writers and their friends and family in August.
“Thank you to our much-loved local bookstores Antipodes, Farrell’s, Peterson’s and Rosebud Book Barn for again supporting this wonderful initiative.”
Quotes attributable to last year’s winners:
“I’m lucky. My world is enriched by the arts. It is broadened and challenged by all that I’ve read, seen and heard.”
Suzi Mezei, Winner 18+
“It’s been a wonderful experience writing the story and I am very grateful.”
Emma Dingwall, Winner 13-17 Years
“I’m really excited and proud to have won this competition and want to thank the Mornington Peninsula Shire and Peninsula Writers’ Club.”
Xavier Goldfinch, Winner 8-12 Years