And the winner is...
We received a record 260 entries this year from writers all around Australia. Our short-listers were struck by the incredible variety of genres, ideas and use of language that characterised the entries and carried through, with great stories and great writing, to be reflected in the shortlist.
Congratulations to all the entrants who made the shortlist, and a big congratulations to this year’s winners:
> First place: Kerania Versus The Dream by Vicki Kyriakakis, Melbourne, VIC
> Second place: What Day Is It? by Chris Cody, Haddon, VIC
> Third place: Girl Friday by Alison Gibbs, Ashbury, NSW
Click on the links above to read the winning entries. Go to the WAM YouTube channel to hear short story judge, Kathryn Heyman, discuss the winning stories and Vicki Kyriakakis reading an excerpt from her story, Kerania Versus The Dream.
2023 Shortlist
- What Day Is It? by Chris Cody, Haddon, VIC
- Girl Friday by Alison Gibbs, Ashbury, NSW
- When You Are Dog by Susan Bennett, VIC
- The Will of La Magnan by Stephen D'Arcy, Belgrave, VIC
- Flying Ducks by Sharon Kernot, Mount Barker, SA
- Needs Must by Vicky Daddo, Hazelwood South, VIC
- Going Downhill by Pippa Kay, Hunters Hill, NSW
- Kerania Versus The Dream by Vicki Kyriakakis, Melbourne, VIC
- Influence by Athena Law, Rosemount, QLD
- Feeding Spirits by Emmi Khor, Ivanhoe, VIC
- Millipede House by Alaina Dean, Cudal, NSW
- Waiting on Clouds by Odette Des Forges, Camp Hill, QLD
- The Wayfinder's Tale by Jacqueline Winn, Possum Brush, NSW
- River Rat by Jim Kent, Port Fairy, VIC
- Too Soft by Vicki Hann, Moama, NSW
Competition Details
The annual AlburyCity Short Story Award is open for entries from mid-May to late-July each year, with awards announced during the Write Around the Murray Festival (WAM). It is open to entrants throughout Australia. Stories can be up to 3000 words on any theme. Entry fee $10.
Subscribe to our newsletter from the WAM homepage to hear when the 2024 competition is open for entries.
