This competition is to acknowledge excellence in creative writing in the Short Story genre. The contest is open to any emerging writer residing in South Africa who is unpublished, or who has had fewer than four stories/articles published in any format or any genre (print or digital).

We accept story submissions in two genre categories: Literary Fiction and Popular Fiction.

Short Story Writing

PRIZES:

  • First Prize (Literary Category): R 5 000.00
  • First Prize (Popular Fiction Category): R 5000.00
  • Second Prize (Literary Category): R 1500.00
  • Second Prize (Popular Fiction Category): R 1500.00

The top three entries in each category will be published on our college site, with editorial comments on their submitted works.

THEME:  The world can be divided into givers and takers, and always the two shall meet.

CLOSING DATE: 31 MARCH 2014

GUIDELINES FOR ENTRIES:

  • Entry is limited to South African residents only.
  • Entrants must submit a story of maximum word count 2000 words, on the theme provided. Any entries Memoirexceeding the word count by 50 words will not be considered.
  • We aim to support and acknowledge beginner writers, so we only accept stories from writers who are unpublished, or who have been published fewer than four times in any genre, both print and digital, in any publication (for payment or otherwise). This does not include articles for community or work newsletters where the circulation is under 1000.
  • Stories must not have been previously published. Entrants must own full copyright to the story submitted.
  • Only one story per entrant is allowed.
  • Only e-mail submissions are acceptable, with stories attached as Word Documents. Mark your entry clearly with the subject line: SAWC Annual Short Story Competition, and submit according to rules below.
  • If you have not received an acknowledgement of your submission within three days, please re-send your entry.
  • All submissions must be sent to Nichola Meyer at SA Writers’ College: Nichola@sawriterscollege.co.za

ENTRY FORMAT:

  • Your first page of your Word document must include the story title, your name, email address, and total number of words of the entry. Include whether you are entering your story into the Literary Category, the  Popular Fiction Category, or both. The judges reserve the right to change the submitted category as is appropriate.
  • Do not include your name on any page of your story, except the title page. All entries will be judged blind.

View our Archived Competition Entries Here

THE JUDGES: Our panel of judges for 2014 are to be confirmed.

001c Download anthology

COMPETITION RULES:

  • The competition is open to anyone living in South Africa over the age of 16 (as of 31 March 2014).
  • The competition closes at midnight on 31 March 2014, and winners will be announced and displayed on our web site by 30 April 2014.
  • Prizewinners will be notified via email as well as on our web site; please ensure you supply a valid email address with your entry.
  • Prize money will be paid via electronic transfer.
  • We only accept entries written in English.
  • Entrant must own full copyright of the piece.
  • Writers retain copyright, but give permission for their work to be displayed on our website.
  • The judges’ decision is final; no disputes will be entered into.
  • If your entry has not been acknowledged within 72 hours, please contact us. Your mail may have got lost in transit.
  • SA Writers’ College reserves the right to extend the competition deadline, or cancel the competition should the entries not be of publishable quality or up to the required standard.
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