The Newcastle Herald has officially launched its highly anticipated annual short story competition, calling upon the Hunter region's literary talent to unleash their creativity. This year's inspiration comes from six captivating images captured by the Herald's own photographers, featuring subjects as diverse as a playful dolphin, a derelict building, and racing pups.
How the Competition Works
Entries are now open and will remain so until midnight on December 22, 2025. Aspiring authors are tasked with selecting one of the six provided images and crafting an original short story of between 900 and 1000 words. The genre is entirely up to the writer, but the plot must draw some form of inspiration from the chosen photograph. All submitted work must be the entrant's own original creation and must not have been previously published elsewhere.
To enter, participants must email their story as an attachment to storyprize@newcastleherald.com.au. The email must include a cover sheet listing the author's full name, address, email address, and phone number. The competition is open exclusively to Hunter residents aged 18 and over, with a limit of one story per person.
Prestigious Judges and Publication Opportunities
The 2025 competition boasts an impressive panel of judges. This includes Dr Ryan O'Neill, a Miles Franklin-shortlisted author and Prime Minister's Literary Award for Fiction winner. He is joined by Kathy Sloss from MacLean's Booksellers, Hunter Writers Centre director Katherine McLean, ACM head of publishing Chad Watson, Newcastle Herald senior deputy editor Matt Carr, and the Herald's editor, Lisa Allan.
Writers selected for the shortlist will see their work featured in the print edition of the Newcastle Herald between December 26, 2025, and January 26, 2026. These stories will also be published and collated online at newcastleherald.com.au, offering significant exposure for local talent.
Lucrative Prizes for Winners
The competition will crown three winners. The overall winner will receive a $200 voucher for MacLean's Booksellers in Hamilton, a $100 Harvey Norman voucher, and a VIP double pass to the opening night of the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival.
A 'Highly Commended' entrant will be awarded a $100 MacLean's voucher, a $100 Harvey Norman voucher, and the same coveted festival pass. Additionally, a 'People's Choice' winner, selected by the public, will receive a $50 MacLean's voucher, a $100 Harvey Norman voucher, and the VIP double pass. The judges' decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcomes.
This initiative by the Newcastle Herald provides a fantastic platform for local writers to showcase their skills, gain recognition, and kickstart their literary ambitions.
