Writers Victoria supports and connects all types of writers at all stages of their writing careers. Find out more about our courses and workshops, mentorships or manuscript assessments, how we can provide inspiration, information or advice, or how to become part of a vibrant literary community as a member of Writers Victoria.
Open date: 9am AEST, Monday 15 June 2026
Close date: 11:59pm AEST, Monday 20 July 2026
Writers Victoria is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the fourthteen Grace Marion Wilson Emerging Writers Competition. Short story or creative non-fiction submissions of between 2,000 and 3,000 words are being accepted from emerging Victorian writers who have had no more than three stories or articles published in a recognised book, magazine, or journal.
The winner of each category will receive a $1,000 cash prize, with second prizes of $500 awarded to one runner-up in each category. The first and second prize entries will also be published in our website and an upcoming edition of our newsletter.
A $500 prize and online publication will also be awarded to the highest placed Writers Victoria member from regional Victoria in either category (Short Story and Non-Fiction). To be considered for the Best Regional Writer prize, you must be a member of Writers Victoria and live within Victoria, further than 50km from Melbourne's CBD. Note that the topic of your piece is not restricted to regional Victoria.
For more information, please visit writersvictoria.org.au
2026 Grace Marion Wilson Emerging Writers Competition - Short Story
Terms and Conditions
1. Applicants must be 18 or over and be residents of Victoria.
2. Work must be between 2,000 and 3,000 words.
3. Applications must be submitted online in either Word or PDF format; hard copy submissions will not be accepted.
4. Applications will be judged anonymously. Please don’t include your name in the attachment.
5. Applicants must be emerging writers with no more than three stories or articles published in a book, magazine or journal.
6. Entries will be independently judged. The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
7. First and second prize entries will be published on our website, and agreement for publication is a condition of entry.
8. The Best Regional Writer prize entry will be published on our website, and agreement for publication is a condition of entry.
9. The entries must be unpublished and can't be accepted for publication elsewhere, in print or online.
10. Winners in our previous competitions (2008–2022, both first and second prizes) are not eligible to re-enter.
11. Entry is free for financial members of Writers Victoria or $20 for non-members. Become a member here or pay the non-member entry fee here.
12. Writers Victoria is unable to accept entries or notify entrants who do not follow entry guidelines.
13. Participants may submit a maximum of one entry per category.
14. WV staff and Committee of Management members are not eligible to apply.
15. To be considered for the Best Regional Writer prize, you must be a member of Writers Victoria and live within Victoria, further than 50km from Melbourne's CBD.
16. Late entries will not be accepted. Please make sure to submit your piece through the online form (emailed submissions will not be accepted) by 11:59 pm on Monday 20 July 2026.
17. The Short Fiction category is for Young Adult and Adult fiction. Genres not eligible for entry are Middle Grade, Children's Fiction, or Picture Books.
18. Entries generated using AI are not eligible. Minor use of AI for checking grammar and spelling is permitted.
Open date: 9am AEST, Monday 15 June 2026
Close date: 11:59pm AEST, Monday 20 July 2026
Writers Victoria is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the fourthteen Grace Marion Wilson Emerging Writers Competition 2026. Short story or creative non-fiction submissions of between 2,000 and 3,000 words are being accepted from emerging Victorian writers who have had no more than three stories or articles published in a recognised book, magazine or journal.
The winner of each category will receive a $1,000 cash prize, with second prizes of $500 awarded to one runner-up in each category. The first and second prize entries will also be published in our website and an upcoming edition of our newsletter.
A $500 prize and online publication will also be awarded to the highest placed Writers Victoria member from regional Victoria in either category (Fiction and Non-Fiction). To be considered for the Best Regional Writer prize, you must be a member of Writers Victoria and live within Victoria, further than 50km from Melbourne's CBD. Note that the topic of your piece is not restricted to regional Victoria.
For more information, please visit writersvictoria.org.au
2026 Grace Marion Wilson Emerging Writers Competition - Non-Fiction
Terms and Conditions
- Applicants must be 18 or over and be residents of Victoria.
- Work must be between 2,000 and 3,000 words.
- Applications must be submitted online in either Word or PDF format; hard copy submissions will not be accepted.
- Applications will be judged anonymously. Please don’t include your name in the attachment.
- Applicants must be emerging writers with no more than three stories or articles published in a book, magazine or journal.
- Entries will be independently judged. The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
- First and second prize entries will be published on our website, and agreement for publication is a condition of entry.
- The Best Regional Writer prize entry will be published on our website, and agreement for publication is a condition of entry.
- The entries must be unpublished and can't be accepted for publication elsewhere, in print or online.
- Winners in our previous competitions (2008–2022, both first and second prizes) are not eligible to re-enter.
- Entry is $5 for financial members of Writers Victoria, $20 for non-members and free for First Nations writers.
- Writers Victoria is unable to accept entries or notify entrants who do not follow entry guidelines.
- Participants may submit a maximum of one entry per category.
- WV staff and Committee of Management members are not eligible to apply.
- To be considered for the Best Regional Writer prize, you must be a member of Writers Victoria and live within Victoria, further than 50km from Melbourne's CBD.
- Late entries will not be accepted. Please make sure to submit your piece through the online form (emailed submissions will also not be accepted) by 11:59 pm on Monday 20 July 2026.
- The Short STory category is for Young Adult and Adult fiction. Genres not eligible for entry are Middle Grade, Children's Fiction, or Picture Books.
- Entries generated using AI are not eligible. Minor use of AI for checking grammar and spelling is permitted.