Have you been working on a short story for young adult readers? The Rhiza Edge Short Story Competition 2026 offers writers an exciting opportunity to have their work considered for publication in an anthology, while gaining recognition from an established publishing team. This year’s competition invites imaginative stories exploring the theme “Hidden Creatures”, with opportunities to showcase fantasy, horror, sci-fi, action and crime writing for readers aged 12 years or more.
Preparing your entry and want to refine your storytelling skills first? Our Short Story Essentials course can guide you through the key techniques successful short story writers use, helping you create tighter plots, stronger characters and stories that stand out.
From the Rhiza Press website:
HIDDEN CREATURES: Weird and wild stories featuring cryptids of all types!
Editors: Rebecca Fraser and Bethany Loveridge
We're looking for short stories with the theme of “Hidden Creatures”. We are open to stories of fantasy, horror, sci fi, action, and crime. With a focus on cryptids / cryptozoology we invite exciting stories that embrace folklore, mystery, speculation…and all the shadowy places in between.
Think Yetis and Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster, Mothman, megalodons, mermaids, sea serpents, yowies, werewolves, and more. We’re looking for fresh and exciting spins on well known cryptids, or feel free to plumb the depths of your creativity and invent a new ‘hidden creature’ – the only limits are your imagination.
Story setting can be as diverse as the theme. Contemporary or historical fiction, or set in another world or planet – the choice is yours. While we welcome cryptids and mythology from all corners of the world, we ask you to be respectful and mindful of different cultures and cultural representation when crafting your stories.
Though there is no age restriction, please keep in mind that the stories selected will be required to reflect Young Adult fiction. Stories are aimed at readers aged 12+ so should be clean and suitable for school sales.
Chosen short stories will be edited and published as part of an anthology.
Stories can be of length 1000 to 5000 words and need to be submitted in a word document file type. This word length is strict. We will not be accepting stories over 5000 words.
The standard entry fee is $22.00, with a 20% discount concession fee for seniors and students.
Any Australian or New Zealand author, published or unpublished, can enter. Authors who have previously published with Wombat Books or Rhiza Edge before can also enter. Authors from outside Australia can also enter, but we will primarily include AU and NZ based authors.
Prize winners receive:
- Short story published in anthology by Rhiza Edge
- Complementary copy of the collection
- Winner's choice of 5 further copies or a $100 value off an appraisal by Wombat/Rhiza
- 15 minute pitch with Wombat/Rhiza publisher for a full manuscript
This competition closes on 30 September 2026.
To learn more and enter, visit the competition page here.
