If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a punch-in-the-gut crime story, but don’t have a full novel ready, here’s a brilliant opportunity – The Louie Award is now open for entries, inviting Australian writers to craft a crime tale in 500 words or fewer.
This year the theme is “Bubble” – whether that conjures a blood-filled envelope, a busted gang’s bubble, an air bubble under water, or something entirely unexpected, you’re encouraged to play with that word.
From the Australian Crime Writers Association:
The Louie Awards: Fast Fiction Crime Writing
Flex those fingers! Entries are open for the Australian Crime Writers Association’s annual fast fiction crime writing competition – The Louie Award.
The Louie Award is for fast fiction – a story of less than 500 words. As well as being in the crime genre, each year entries must also feature or incorporate a specific theme or word.
The theme for this year is: Bubble. We hope it inspires many plot ideas and interpretations! Thought bubble, blood bubble, Canberra bubble, bubble bath, air bubble, bubble gum, bubble butt – well, you get the picture!
Entries close January 30, 2026.
The Louie Award is open to all Australian writers. We hope young and emerging writers particularly take this opportunity to jump into crime writing. The Award is sponsored by Dr Antonio Di Dio in celebration of his late father Luigi.
The winner will receive a $500 cash prize and two highly commended writers will receive a $125 cash prize each. All three writers will receive a certificate and their stories will be published on the Australian Crime Writers Association website.
The Louie Award compliments the long standing and highly recognised The Ned Kelly Awards for crime writing. The Ned Kelly Awards are Australia’s oldest and most prestigious recognition honouring crime fiction and true crime writing. The Ned Kelly Awards began in 1995 and the first award was made in 1996.
The Australian Crime Writers Association is dedicated to promoting Australian crime, thriller and mystery writing. The addition of The Louie Award hopes to raise even more awareness of the strength of the Australian crime writing scene and bring a new audience of readers and writers to the crime genre.
For entries and further information, please see the website.
