The 2026 OutStanding Miniatures Short Story Competition Winners:
First Prize:
Alisa Lindfield-Pratt
“Interview with Vi”
Redcliffe, January 1968
Is this off the record?” Vi asked.
“Yes.”
“The Force urged me to retire.”
“Why?”
“I was outspoken about arresting homosexuals.”
“That’s very brave.”
“I couldn’t live with myself.”
“Did you retire?”
“Yes. I bought a prawn trawler. My wife says I sleep better and drink less.”
Highly Commended:
Shilo Burgess
“Hidden Love”
“Off the record?” he asks nervously.
“Of course,” she replies.
“I love him.”
“Oh,” she says, “wasn’t expecting that. How long?”
“Forever. Since the moment I met him ten years ago.”
“Why tell me?”
“I get the sense you’d understand hidden love”
“Yeah,” she says softly, “I do.”
Alastair Lawrie
“Bad Bunny”
Ryan gently blew dust off the record cover. Six months since the funeral, he finally felt ready to pack Santiago’s belongings, and wanted his late husband’s favourite vinyl as the soundtrack. Inside, a note: ‘I may be gone, but I’ll always be your Bad Bunny. Xx’. Ryan smiled, then sobbed.
Sandra Renew
“After Mardi Gras”
Silent, watching the Mardi Gras detritus, a heavy rush of rainbow rubbish washing down the storm water.
It was fun though, wasn’t it? her girlfriend of the moment. Just for the record, you’re not a royal princess, are you? Like Mary met Frederik?
Off the record, who wants to know?
AW
“Girl Talk”
Would I be a cute guy?
That’s totally random, I’m like totally high!
But…
Off the record,
Would I suit short hair?
Should I chop it off? Will my mother care?
And…
Off the record,
This is totally a joke,
But sometimes I think I sorta wanna be a bloke.
Congratulations to our amazing winners