express Writing Contest for Pride 2015

Alternative Bindings express Short Story Competition 2015

The competition provides a safe and supportive environment for both emerging and established writers to share their stories.


Other than a set length of 750 words and a theme "Lost and Found", there are no restrictions; entries might express the triumph and joy of alternate sexuality, or the pain and difficulty. 

They might be funny or sad, sweet or bitter, outrageous or introspective.

Participation is the most valued aspect of Alternative Bindings. It is a competition, however, and we are blessed to be part of a kind and generous community — so the prize is fabulous!

With the support of the GABA Trust and express Magazine we are awarding $500 cash and publication in express for the winning story and $200 cash for the runner up.

 

Our judges are well known in queer literary circles and they take their duties very seriously, looking for outstanding sparks of creative brilliance. And, they say, thoroughly looking forward to the experience.  Their decision is final.

If the Alternative Bindings Short Story Competition encourages us to keep telling our unique stories the best way we can it will have achieved its aim.

The theme for 2015 is "Lost and Found". You may interpret it in any way you choose, just so long as it is obvious to the judges.

2015 COMPETITION RULES

1.  Stories must be your own work, and not previously published. 

2. Stories must be original fiction. 

3. All stories should have relevance to the broader New Zealand LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer) community.

4.  All stories must relate to the theme in some way.

5.  Stories must be 750 words or less. Please include your word count at the end of your story.

6.  Stories must be emailed as attachments in Word to alternativebindings@gmail.com

7.  All stories must be received by midnight on 9 January 2015.  Late entries will not be accepted.

8.  Please include your full name, email address and contact phone number in your submission email.

9. Your name must not appear in headers or footers or anywhere in your story – our judges read all stories in blissful ignorance of the writer’s identity.

10.  If you submit a story to the competition, you are also giving us permission to publish it.

11.  You may submit more than one story.

12.  We accept stories from writers based in New Zealand only.

13.  The Winner will be invited to read their work at our winner’s event, Auckland Library at 5pm on Tuesday 17 February.

Your judges this year are Gina Cole, Julie Helean, Stevan Eldred-Grigg and Peter Wells.

Gina Cole

Julie Helean

Stevan Eldred Grigg

Peter Wells