The Young Authors Challenge is a short story competition and we want to hear from you. Put words to paper and you can win some incredible prizes!
The Short Story competition is open to all primary, intermediate and secondary aged school children.
Competition categories
Primary: up to 250 words
Intermediate: up to 500 words
Secondary: up to 750 words
Key Dates
Entries open: Tuesday 14 May 2024
Entries close: Friday 9 August 2024
Winners will be announced on Monday 26 August with a special presentation to held in Term Four 2024.
Prize Pool
Each category winner will receive $500 cash prize and $250 book voucher each.
Each category winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and $1,000 worth of books for their school
Judging Panel
Barfoot & Thompson Directors, Peter Thompson & Stephen Barfoot will read all short story entries and announce the winners.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be judged for stories that are fresh, detailed, imaginative and thoughtful. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Barfoot & Thompson reserves the right to use any entries for marketing and promotional purposes, and no compensation will be offered.
Barfoot & Thompson reserves the right to reject disqualifying entries that do not meet the entry criteria.
Barfoot & Thompson employees and contractors, and their family members (partners, children and parents) are eligible to enter the short story but will not be eligible to win.
Submitting an entry into the competition is deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.