Creative Writing Society
The 2025 theme is “Making Change”, and creative interpretation is encouraged. All genres are accepted, including fantasy, literary fiction, historical, and speculative fiction.
Entry Details
- Each participant may submit one entry only.
- Submissions open 1 November and close 30 November 2025 (11:59 PM AEDT).
- Late or incomplete entries will not be considered.
- Open to all undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students at Southern Cross University.
- Entries must be original, unpublished, and written in English.
- Co-authored works are allowed if all authors consent to the submission.
- Entries generated or assisted by artificial intelligence are not permitted.
Terms and Conditions of entry. By entering the competition, you are agreeing to the below terms.
Word Count
- Entries must be between 2,500 and 5,000 words.
- The total includes the story text only, excluding the title and author note.
Submission Format
- Submit electronically as a .docx or .odt file.
- Use 12 pt, Times New Roman font, and double spacing throughout.
- Each page must include the story title and page number.
- Do not include your name, contact details, or identifying information within the manuscript to ensure anonymous judging.
- The document filename must be the title of the story (e.g., Shifting Horizons.docx).
Judging Criteria
Entries will be evaluated anonymously by a panel of qualified editors and authors based on:
- Originality of the concept and interpretation of the theme.
- Character development and narrative depth.
- Literary quality and style.
- Coherence and pacing consistent with novelette structure.
- Technical accuracy (grammar, formatting, adherence to rules).
The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
Disqualification
Entries will be disqualified if they:
- Include identifying information within the manuscript.
- Exceed or fall short of the word limit.
- Contain plagiarized or AI-generated content.
- Are previously published or submitted elsewhere during the judging period.
Rights
- Copyright remains with the author.
- Winning entries grant the organisers the right to publish the story for promotional purposes with author credit.
