To enter
OutStanding LGBTQIA+ Short Story Competition 2026
This year’s OutStanding LGBTQIA+ Short Story Competition (750 words or less) will be open from 4.00pm 14 June 2026.
1. Stories must be your own work, and not previously published or read out in public. No AI assistance permitted; all entries must be original, unaided work of the Author. The use of AI tools to generate or assist in the creation of any part of the story – including plot, language, editing, or phrasing – is strictly prohibited. Entries suspected of being AI generated, or AI assisted will be disqualified at the discretion of the judging panel.
2. All stories should have relevance to the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer +) community.
3. All stories must relate to the theme in some way.
4. Stories must be 750 words or less. Your word count will show up in the submission process, your story title is not included in the word count.
5. The deadline is 11.59pm (AEDT) on Sunday 30 August 2026. Late entries will not be accepted. 
6. You will be asked to provide your full name, email address, postal address, age group and contact phone number in your submission.
7. You must be at least 16 years of age to enter.
8. Your name must not appear anywhere in your story – our judges read all stories in blissful ignorance of the writer’s identity.
9. If you submit a story to the competition, you are giving us permission to publish. Publication could include on the website, in a podcast, in an E-Book, or gay press. Otherwise, copyright remains with the author.
10. You may submit multiple entries.
11. We are not able to accept entries from partners or relatives of the OutStanding committee or judging panel.
12. We accept stories from writers based in Australia and New Zealand.
13. Winning stories will be published on our Facebook page, and our website.
14. Unfortunately, we cannot enter into any discussion with you about your story or provide individual feedback.
15. There is no charge to enter our competition. It is FREE 