Applications call for Sydney Hammond Short Story Writing Competition 2020. The competition is looking for jolly good tales. The positive. The growth. The light-hearted. The heart-warming. The gut-wrenchingly beautiful. Sadness can feature, but it is looking for evolution in the mix.

Theme

The theme of If only…is expansive, allowing for imaginations to run wild. If candidates unsure where to start, here are some prompts to start. Candidates may write off, for example, about life choices made by an individual, a group, or a government. It can be a fictional tale or a true story. The character might reflect on how choices made by others affected their own life, or how they are gripped with indecision as they face a life-altering situation and how they will reflect on their decision in the future. Think Sliding Doors. The possibilities are endless. These are just a few suggestions and the competition looks forward to reading the stories and seeing where the mind takes.

Selection Criteria

• Storytelling ability
• Adherence to the competition theme
• Spelling & Grammar
• Layout conforms to the competition guideline

Prize Pool

• Winner: $250AU Hawkeye Gift Voucher + Anthology front cover design based on the winner’s story.
• Shortlisted (2nd – 4th placed) names published.
• Top 40 stories will be published in an anthology – recording in the perpetuity community spirit of 2020.

Rules

• Entries close 6 pm EST Saturday, 1st August 2020
• The word limit is 1,000. This includes titles and any sub-headings. There is no minimum.
• Entries can be non-fiction, fiction, or fiction inspired by true events.
• The winner receives $250 Hawkeye Publishing Gift Voucher for professional services + Anthology front cover design based on the winner’s story. Shortlisted (2nd – 4th placed) names published.
• Top 40 stories will be published in an anthology.
• The story must not include the name or any identifying marks.
• Entry is online only.
• Entries must be the original work of the applicant and must not be published in any form or currently offered for publication.
• If the candidate prefers their story published under a pseudonym, there is an optional field on the entry form.
• Entrants are welcome to submit more than one story. There is no limit on the number of entries. A separate entry form and separate entry fee of $10 (incl. GST) must accompany each entry.
• Candidates must acknowledge any quotes from other writers that you use.
• The staff of Hawkeye Publishing and competition judges and their family members are not eligible to enter the Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Award Writing Competition.

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