WAM Short Story Competition 2026

Write Around The Murray is calling for entries for the WAM Short Story Competition 2026!

Please find all the terms and conditions below and Happy Writing!

Terms and Conditions

1. All entries are to be original work by the author and must not have been published or accepted for publication by a recognised publisher, in print or online at the date of announcement of the winner or publication of the shortlisted stories (whichever comes first). (Work that appears in blogs or community publications and websites ARE eligible to enter).Stories should not exceed 3000 words with the judges reserving the right to reject works over the word limit.
2. Maximum of two (2) entries per person – a separate entry form and entry fee must accompany each piece submitted.
3. The name of the entrant should appear on entry form only, NOT on the work.
4. The title of your story and the word count should appear at the beginning of the story (do not include your name anywhere on the story).
5. Entries should be typed in a plain 11 point font (e.g. arial, times new roman), with one and a half line spacing and pages numbered. Double-sided pages are allowed.
6. Entrants must inform Write Around the Murray at wam@alburycity.nsw.gov.au of any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural and Intellectual Property in or affected by their story at the time of entry and advise of any special considerations that might apply to this property.
7. All entries must be received by 11:59pm 1 July, 2026, and no late entries will be accepted by any means.
9. ONLINE ENTRIES  must be paid for via the link on the Write Around the Murray website Short Story Competition page. This is where you also attach a copy of your story in PDF or Word-compatible document. Don’t forget to ensure that your name and contact details do not appear anywhere in the story document. One online form per entry. There is a maximum of two (2) entries per person. To enter the competition a second time, a second online entry must be filled in with a second payment and second story attached. Online submissions close at 11:59pm Wednesday 1 July. Late entries will not be accepted.
10. HAND-DELIVERED or POSTAL ENTRIES should include two (2) copies and be typed on A4 paper. Each copy to be stapled. Print out the entry form and submit the completed form with your story. Hand-delivered and postal entries must be received by 5pm Wednesday 1 July 2026.
11. POSTAL ENTRIES should be addressed to: WAM Short Story Competition, c/- Albury LibraryMuseum, PO Box 323, Albury, 2640
    Late entries, regardless of postal delays or other factors, are not able to be accepted. It is the responsibility of entrants to allow sufficient time for delivery.
12. The judge’s decision is final.
13. Winning entries (first, second and third) will be published on the Write Around the Murray (WAM) website. If the entry was originally supplied as hand-delivered or postal, it must be resupplied in electronic format.
14. Entries that do not follow the above guidelines will not be accepted.
15. Entrants will retain full copyright and AlburyCity will respect moral rights to all stories. Entrants who are shortlisted grant a non-exclusive licence for a period of 15 months from the date of announcement of the winner or publication of the shortlisted stories (whichever comes first) to AlburyCity to publish their shortlisted story on the WAM website. AlburyCity will always attribute the story to the rightful entrant and will not make any changes to the story without permission from the entrant.
16. The announcement of winning stories will premiere on the WAM YouTube channel on Wednesday 9 September 2026 at 11am. You will receive an email notification in advance of this date.
17. Staff of AlburyCity are not eligible to enter this competition.
18. Entry in the competition signifies that you understand and agree to the above conditions of entry.
19. PAYMENT METHODS:

Online entrants must pay via the link on the Write Around the Murray website Short Story Competition page.

Postal entries should include a cheque or money order made out to AlburyCity.

In person: you may pay by cash, EFTPOS or credit card in person.
We regret we are unable to take credit card payments over the phone and we are unable to provide bank details for electronic funds transfer.