What does Place mean to you?
Is it the town where you grew up, the river you return to, a house filled with memories, a landscape that shaped you or somewhere that exists only in your imagination?
As part of the inaugural Festival of Stories, we’re inviting writers to explore the theme of Place in 500–1000 words and share their story with us.
The Festival of Stories Writing Prize celebrates the power of the written word and the many ways stories connect us to people, places and memories. Whether you’re an emerging young writer or an adult with a story waiting to be told, we want to hear your voice.
Two categories:
Youth | 15–18 years
ENTER THE YOUTH CATEGORY
Prize: $200 Collins Books Echuca in-store voucher.
Open | 19+ years
ENTER THE OPEN CATEGORY
Prize: $200 cash from The Splendid Word, plus a one-year Writers Victoria membership valued at $75.
Both categories invite you to respond to the theme Place in an original piece of writing between 500 and 1000 words.
Your story can take you anywhere. It might be deeply personal, imaginative, nostalgic, funny, unexpected or all of the above. We want to hear your unique voice and your interpretation of what Place means to you.
Entries must be original, unpublished work written solely by the entrant. AI-generated or AI-edited entries are not eligible. Entries will be assessed anonymously by a team of local judges (including academics, English teachers, librarians, published authors and lovers of words) using a uniform set of criteria. Copyright remains with the author.
Entries close at 5pm on Friday 2 October 2026.
Winners will be announced on Friday 16 October 2026 at the Festival of Stories Opening Night Main Stage at the historic Port of Echuca Wharf.
Ready to tell your story?
Choose your category and submit your entry:
Youth | 15–18 years
Submit your entry
Open | 19+ years
Submit your entry
Good luck and happy writing!
The Festival of Stories Writing Prize is proudly supported by Writers Victoria, Collins Booksellers Echuca and The Splendid Word.
