If you have a short story ready to share, the Roly Sussex Short Story Competition 2026 offers an exciting opportunity to showcase your writing and be recognised for your storytelling skills. Run by the English-Speaking Union (Queensland Branch), the competition celebrates the power of language and short fiction, rewarding stories that engage, entertain and leave a lasting impression on readers. Need to develop your short story telling techniques first? Our Short Story Essentials course can help you strengthen your craft, from structure and character development to creating impactful endings.
From the competition website:
The Roly Sussex Short Story Competition, affectionately known as the Rolys, is one of the flagship events of the English-Speaking Union (Queensland Branch). This prestigious competition celebrates the art of storytelling and attracts a wide range of entries from writers across Australia showcasing their creative talents.
The competition is named for long-time English-Speaking Union (Qld) member and its immediate past president, Professor Roly Sussex. Roly is an Emeritus Professor of Applied Language Studies at The University of Queensland and a leading champion of language and languages in Australia. His ABC Radio program “A Word in Your Ear” has been running since 1997. This prized literary award was launched in 2015. It fosters original creative writing of outstanding quality, including experimental, challenging or thought-provoking work.
Each year, the competition receives an impressive number of submissions, demonstrating the continued popularity and vibrancy of short fiction. Entries are judged based on creativity, the effective use of language and the ability to craft a powerful ending that leaves a lasting impression. With a focus on publishing quality work, the judges – experts with backgrounds in editing and publishing – seek stories that not only captivate but also resonate with a broad audience.
Through the Roly Sussex Short Story Competition, the ESU proudly supports and nurtures emerging writers, fostering a community dedicated to the craft of storytelling.
Submission dates
Entries for the 2026 competition are now open.
Entries close 5pm (AEST) 18 September 2026.
No submissions will be accepted after this date.
Eligibility
Authors must be Australian citizens or Australian residents who are not related to the judges or members of the board of the English-Speaking Union (Queensland).
Only one entry to be submitted per entrant in each division. Secondary School Division entrants may submit a different story to the Open Division.
Entrants to the Secondary School Division must be enrolled full time at an Australian secondary school.
Submitted stories should not have been published before and are a maximum of 3000 words.
Prize categories
Open Division
First Prize: $7500
Second Prize: $1500
Secondary School Division
First Prize: $1000
Second Prize: $500
Results
The results will be announced by December 2026 through the website of the ESU: https://www.esu.org.au/
The release of the results will be notified to entrants by email.
Whether you’re entering your first competition or looking to take your short fiction to the next level, this is a great opportunity to challenge yourself as a writer. Enter the competition here.
