The Rhiza Edge Short Story Competition for 2025 is now open!
We have two short story collections we would like to build with different themes.
Theme 1: Migration and Diaspora short stories
(Submissions for this anthology have now closed)
We seek fiction and non-fiction narratives that explore the complexities of diasporic identities, including the challenges and triumphs of migration—of uprooting and re-rooting in unfamiliar worlds. We’re interested in stories that examine identity, belonging, community, and the bridges—or divides—between cultures; stories that engage, entertain and enlighten the reader to new and fresh perspectives.
Theme 2: Fantasy
(entries close 31 December 2025)
We're looking for short stories with fantasy themes. We are open to stories form urban thorugh to high fantasy with no specific theme except we would like hopeful and encouraging stories for teen readers.
For both themes, stories that relate to Australian curriculum are likely to be looked upon favourably.
To find out what sort of short stories we have enjoyed in the past check out our collections: Crossed Spaces, The Opposite of Disappearing, Dust Makers, Through Their Eyes and Stepping Sideways.
Stories need to be clean and 12+ friendly as we sell these books into schools. However, if set in a war, please feel free to include the realistic nature of the situations.
Editors are Lynne Stringer and Jeanette O'Hagan.
How to Enter:
Pay the entry fee here.
Complete this form after paying your entry fee: FORM
The form explains where to send your story.
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.
Competition entry fee:
School or Uni Students/Pensioners: $11 Use code 10DISC to get the discounted price.
School Entry Price: $44 (inc GST) for as many students as desired. Schools please email us for information so you don't pay $10 per entry. Schools will be provided different instructions if sending a collection.
Adult Writers: $16.50 (inc GST) per story
Theme One: Open for entries until September 2025
Theme Two: Open for entries until December 2025.
Terms and Conditions Here.
Prize if included:
1 Free copy of the book
PLUS
5 Free copies or $100 value off an appraisal by Wombat/Rhiza
The opportunity to pitch a full manuscript to Wombat/Rhiza
To find out about our other short story collections check out these pages:
Crossed Spaces | The Opposite of Disappearing | Dust Makers | Through Their Eyes | Stepping Sideways