May, 2026
Event Details
The ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize is an annual international competition organised by Australian Book Review, one of Australia’s leading literary magazines. The prize is open to writers worldwide
Event Details
The ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize is an annual international competition organised by Australian Book Review, one of Australia’s leading literary magazines. The prize is open to writers worldwide submitting original short fiction written in English. Stories may be on any subject and in any style but must be previously unpublished and not have won or been broadcast elsewhere.
Entries must consist of a single short story between 2,000 and 5,000 words. Judging is conducted anonymously. Multiple entries are permitted provided each is submitted separately with its own fee.
The competition has become one of the best-known short fiction prizes in the region. The three shortlisted stories are published in Australian Book Review and on the magazine’s website, giving finalists international exposure alongside the cash prizes.
Top prize: AU$6,000 (total prize pool AU$12,500; second prize AU$4,000, third prize AU$2,500) and publication.
Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.
FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.
