What's Your Story? Writing Competition

1 – 31 July 2026

Our annual writing competition is back!

If you’re a writer or storyteller and have a story to tell, enter our 2026 What’s your Story? writing competition for your chance to win.

Now in its 15^th year, the annual competition celebrates creative writing and storytelling in our community and is a great opportunity for writers and storytellers to showcase their talent.

Prizes are awarded for the best Short Story and Poetry in the adult categories and Creative Writing in the youth categories, as chosen by our panel of judges. Works can be fiction or non-fiction, based on any theme, but must be original and previously unpublished. You can enter more than one category, however there is a maximum of one entry per category.

To enter the adult categories, you need to be 18+ years and living in Victoria. Young people aged 5 to 17 years, who live, go to school or work in Stonnington can enter one of three youth categories.

All entries must be submitted online.

Entries open: Wednesday 1 July 2026 at 12AM

Entries close: Friday 31 July 2026 at 11.59PM

Winners will be notified by 30 October 2026 and announced by 13 November 2026, with their work published on the library website.

Categories and prizes:

Theme: Open
Entry fee: Free

Short story - Adult
For: Victorian residents 18 years and over.
Guidelines: 1000 word limit.
Prize: $500

Poetry – Adult
For: Victorian residents 18 years and over.
Guidelines: Maximum 40 lines.
Prize: $500.

Creative writing – 5 to 8 years old
For: Young people aged 5 to 8 years who live or go to school in Stonnington.
Guidelines: 300 to 500 word limit. The entry can be fiction or inspired by real events experienced by the author.
Prize: $100 book voucher

Creative writing – 9 to 12 years old
For: Young people aged 9 to 12 years who live or go to school in Stonnington.
Guidelines: 500 to 750 word limit. The entry can be fiction or inspired by real events experienced by the author.
Prize: $200 book voucher

Creative writing – 13 to 17 years old
For: Young people aged 13 to 17 years who live, work or go to school in Stonnington.
Guidelines: 750 to 900 word limit. The entry can be fiction or inspired by real events experienced by the author.
Prize: $300 book voucher

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be a Stonnington Library member to enter?

No, you do not need to have a Stonnington Library membership to enter the competition.

If you are 18 years and older and living in Victoria, you can enter the Short Story and Poetry in the adult categories.

If you are aged 5 to 17 years and live, go to school or work in Stonnington you can enter the relevant Creative Writing category for your age group.

Can I enter more than once?

Yes. You can enter more than one category, however there is a maximum of one entry per person per category.

If you submit more than one entry in a particular category, we will accept the first submission only.

Why can’t I include my name on my entry?

This is to make sure entries remain anonymous so they can be judged fairly by our judging panel. Entries which include your own name/details will not be sent to the judges.

Do I still retain the rights to my story after I submit it?

Yes, the rights of any entry submitted remains with the original author.

By entering the competition, you agree to have your work published by Stonnington Libraries on our website (if your entry is the winner). However, the rights of your work stay with you.

What if I need help to submit my entry online?

Our staff are available to assist you to complete the online entry form and upload your entry. Please see our staff during library opening hours.

You can also email libraryevents@stonnington.vic.gov.au with any issues and a team member will contact you during standard business hours.

Can I receive feedback about my entry?

Unfortunately, due to the volume of entries received we are unable to provide individual feedback.

Previous Winners

Meet the winners of the 2024 and 2025 What’s Your Story? Writing competition.

Creative writing - 9 to 12 years old

2024: Rebecca K for Fear(PDF, 51KB)
2025: Madeline S for Grit to Glory(PDF, 240KB)

Creative writing - 13 to 17 years old

2024: Celeste M for Clockwork(PDF, 48KB)
2025: Yuki M for Last Stop(PDF, 140KB)

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