2019 OUTSTANDING SHORT STORY WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Max Staerk
October 17, 2019

The 2019 OutStanding Short Story Competition came to a close on September 29 with an awards event at The Newsagency in Annandale.

Eight writers from around Australia received awards and read their stories to an appreciative audience, and organisers say every writer displayed originality and imagination in addressing 2019’s theme of ‘Over The Top.’

“This competition is all about building a community of writers, who are gaining experience, improving their craft, and supporting each other,” OutStanding committee member and 78er Gail Hewison said.

“This is clearly happening, and growing each year.”

Falling in love followed by disappointment, successful and not so happy coming outs, gay cops, science fiction, climate change, gender confusion, crushes, funerals, sudden deaths, and dealing with loss were just some of the themes explored by this year’s entrants.

The top story came from Belinda Raposo from Mudgeeraba in Queensland, who won $2000.

OutStanding patron Alex Greenwich presented the first prize and spoke of his enthusiastic support for the competition over many years.

Second place and $300 went to Elisa Hall while third place and $200 went to James O’Brien.’

The coveted Youth Prize of $500 went to year 12 student, Amy Hoang, with Jenny Nguyen receiving $100 as Youth Runner-up.

Eduardo Mesiti, Erin Riley, Jake Martin were all highly commended for their entries.

This year’s winners shared $3,400 in cash raised through a GoFundMe campaign, with additional prizes donated by The Bookshop Darlinghurst, WritingNSW, Queerstories, and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

“In a stunning display of generosity, donors flocked to the GoFundMe page to show us just how much they value creative writing and the power of sharing LGBTQIA stories and experiences,” OutStanding committee member Nicky Bryson said.

OutStanding are next holding a competition in February called Miniature, for the best story of 50 words. Follow OutStanding Short Story Competition on Facebook for updates.