Frank Sargeson Prize Short Story Writing Competition 2024

Entries are now open for the Frank Sargeson Prize for short fiction 2024. This annual NZ short story competition is sponsored by the University of Waikato and was originally conceived by NZ writer Catherine Chidgey. The Chief Judge for the 2024 writing competition is Harriet Allan, New Zealand Freelance Editor and Medical Publisher.

Sargeson Prize Short Story Competition 2024

There are two divisions available to enter: the open division and the secondary school division in this writing competition. The first prize winner in the open section will receive NZ $10,000 while the first place getter in the secondary school section will receive NZ $2,000. Both stories by the winning authors will be published in the Reading Room section of the online journal Newsroom.

The Sargeson Prize Short Story Competition is open from 1 April 2024 until 30 June 2024. Entry is free. Only one entry is allowed.

Details of winning entries from 2023 are available to view and a copy of the stories may be downloaded at Sargeson Prize Winers 2023

General Short Story Competition Details

General Entry Details

• Entries will be accepted in the English language only.
• No entry fee is required.
• Preferred method of entry is online.
• Copyright remains the property of the author.
• Entries must be typed and 1.5-spaced in a standard legible font (eg Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Palatino Linotype).
• Entries must be original pieces of work and unpublished.
• To remain eligible, enries may not have been submitted to other publications, prizes or anthologies for the duration of the Sargeson Prize entry and judging period.

Open Division

• Open to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents aged 16 and over.
• 5000 word maximum

Secondary School Division

• Open to students enrolled at a New Zealand secondary school, or home-schooled students, who are aged between 16 and 18 years on the date that competition entries close.
• 3000 word maximum

Winners and place-getters will be contacted by 15 September 2024.

More detailed information and rules of entry can be obtained from the University of Waikato Sargeson Prize page and Sargeson Prize Facebook Page.

Writing Competition Prizes

The Open Division of the Sargeson Prize carries a monetary prize for the top three stories. Prizes will be awarded as follows:

First Prize: $10,000
Second Prize: $1,000
Third Prize: $500


Cash prizes will also be awarded to the authors of the top three winning entries in the Secondary School Division along with the offer of an inclusive one week residency at the School of Arts, Waikato University.

First Prize: $2,000
Second Prize: $1,000
Third Prize: $500


If you are interested in entering the Sargeson Short Story Competition don't delay in getting started on your story. This will give you plenty of time to polish it in the weeks ahead. While not everyone can be a winner just the experience of committing to writing a story with a competition in mind can be a highly rewarding one and will help you hone your craft as a writer.