Whitsundays Writers Festival Opens Heart Awards Short Story Competition
- Open Age and Under 18 Divisions for original fiction up to 3,000 words
- First prize $1,000 and Runner-up $500
- Submissions close Friday 17 July 2026 and $20 entry fee applies
To celebrate International Day of Storytelling, the Whitsundays Writers Festival has officially opened submissions for the 2026 Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards Short Story Competition, inviting creative writers from across the region and beyond to share their stories.
The Heart Awards recognise the power of storytelling and will feature two categories: Open Age and Under 18, giving both emerging and established writers the opportunity to showcase their work.
Winners will be announced at the 2026 Whitsundays Writers Festival, to be held on 13 September at the Whitsunday Marine Club in Airlie Beach, where the event will spotlight the talent and creativity of local authors. Significant cash prizes of $1,000 and $500 will be awarded in both categories, making the Heart Awards one of the region’s most exciting opportunities for short story writers.
Writers are invited to submit original short stories of up to 3,000 words. Entries are encouraged to demonstrate imagination, originality, and strong storytelling craft.
While authors may use modern writing tools in the development of their work, the festival emphasises that entries must remain primarily the writer’s own creative work, and submissions will be subject to AI usage checks to ensure fairness and authenticity.
Festival Director, and author of nine Australian thriller novels, Richard Evans says the competition is designed not only to discover new voices, but also to celebrate the enduring role of storytelling in shaping culture and community.
“Stories connect us. They challenge us, entertain us, and help us understand the world around us. The Heart Awards are about encouraging writers of all ages to put their imagination on the page and share it with an audience.”
Entries are now open, with full details, conditions, and submission forms available via the festival website
Entries close 11:59pm Friday 17 July 2026
About the Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards
The Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards are an initiative of the Whitsundays Writers Festival, a national celebration of Australian literary and artistic excellence. More than a competition, this suite of awards honours the craft and courage of storytelling in all its forms – from the raw power of an unpublished manuscript to the visual poetry of a book cover. Each year, we invite writers, poets, and designers from across the nation to submit their work. We seek to discover new voices, elevate emerging talent, and celebrate the finished works that enrich our culture. The Heart Awards are a testament to the festival’s deep commitment to the future of Australian literature and its creators.
Media contact
Cait Fleming
hello@whitsundayswriters.com