Short story need to know
●The divisions are judged by acclaimed writers Craig Cliff and Eileen Merriman and the best entries will be published in the
See page 14 for details on how to enter.
Open division – 3000 word limit
Secondary school division – 2000 word limit.
Entries close Friday, November 8, 2019, at midnight. Winners will be announced in December, and the winning entries published in the
and on over summer.
If you have any questions please contact us by email: editor@star-times.co.nz and needs improving. She met with the New Zealand Society of Authors last month.
‘‘The Department is liaising with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to ensure the work will align with the Government’s priority for supporting sustainable careers in the cultural sector,’’ Martin says.
Many writing careers start with a boost of publicity or money from competitions.
Frazer Rangihuna won the Sunday Star-Times short story competition in 2017. Afterwards he was asked to contribute to Penguin Random House’s anthology Pu¯ ra¯ kau: Ma¯ ori Myths Retold, edited by Witi Ihimaera and Whiti Hereaka. He says the process of writing and editing was an ‘‘amazing experience’’.
‘‘Now I have a relationship with the experts and a taste of the publishing process. When I do finish my own manuscript I might know what to expect.’’
Judge of this year’s short story competition, Eileen Merriman, came third in 2014. The placing marked the origin of her career as an author, with the short story she submitted, Pieces of You, published as a novel in 2016.
A story evoking emotion is what she is hoping for among this year’s entries.
‘‘I’ll be looking for stories that have me empathising with the character(s) and caring what happens to them. I’ll be looking for originality and vivid imagery. Most of all, I’ll be looking for stories that linger with me long after I’ve finished reading them.’’
The first prize winner will take home $3000 from Penguin Random House and will have their short story published in the Sunday Star-Times.
‘‘I was high on having finished – well, feeling like I had finished my novel – and I sent it out quite early. Naturally, and deservedly, I was knocked back.’’ Becky Manawatu, left