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Write Around the Murray Short Story Competition

A person sits at a red table in a library, holding a pen and looking thoughtfully to the side. Bookshelves filled with colorful titles are visible in the background, creating a calm and focused atmosphere.

Judge

Margaret Hickey

Word limit

3000

Entry fee

$15

Prize amount

First prize $1,000; 2nd prize $200 QBD book voucher; 3rd prize $100 QBD book voucher

Closing date

11:59pm, 1 July 2026

Conditions of Entry

And the winners are....

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the Write Around the Murray Short Story Award 2026 as selected by our judge, Margaret Hickey.

It was a very strong pool of entries so we want to encourage all the writers to took part to keep on trying and putting your work out there. Your creations were very impressive! Thank you everyone for your participation.

Click on the links to read all three of these marvellous stories below.

Third Prize: Michelle Bertram “The Things the River Keeps” [ PDF, 88.15 KB]

Second Prize: John AD Fraser “Rare Birds” [ PDF, 116.96 KB]

FIRST PRIZE AND WINNER OF THE WRITE AROUND THE MURRAY SHORT STORY AWARD 2026: Kailum Graves “The Bureau of Lost Distances” [ PDF, 191.16 KB]

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