Sargeson Prize Short Story Competition 2024 | Win $10,000 prize

The 2024 Sargeson Prize Short Story Competition is now accepting applications. The Sargeson Prize was first offered in 2019 and is New Zealand’s highest-endowed short story prize. Sponsored by the University of Waikato and named after celebrated New Zealand writer Frank Sargeson, the prize was established by writer and University of Waikato Writing Studies lecturer Catherine Chidgey to honor Sargeson’s influence on New Zealand literature.

There are two categories for the competition:

• Open Division
• Secondary Schools Division

Prizes

Open Division

• First Prize: $10,000
• Second Prize: $1,000
• Third Prize: $500

Secondary Schools Division

• First Prize: $2,000
• Second Prize: $1,000
• Third Prize: $500

Eligibility

Open Division

• Open Division is open to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents aged 16 and over who are writing in English. Published and unpublished writers are welcome to enter.
• Entries must be single stories of no more than 5000 words.
• They must be original, unpublished pieces of work.

Secondary Schools Division

• The Secondary Schools Division is open to students enrolled at a New Zealand secondary school, or home-schooled students, who are aged between 16 and 18 years on the date that competition entries close.
• Entries must be single stories of no more than 3000 words.
• They must be original, unpublished pieces of work.

How to Apply

Entries will close at 11.59pm (NZST) on 30 June 2024. Entries received after the closing date or not otherwise in accordance with the terms and conditions will not be accepted.

The University of Waikato takes no responsibility for lost, damaged, misdirected, late, illegible or incomplete entries.

Deadline: June 30, 2024