The 2024 Sargeson Prize is now open for entries

Posted: Wednesday Apr 10, 2024

Entries close 30 June 2024

First offered in 2019, the Sargeson Prize is New Zealand's richest short story prize, sponsored by the University of Waikato. Named for celebrated New Zealand writer Frank Sargeson, the Prize was conceived by writer Catherine Chidgey, who also lectures in Writing Studies at the University.

There is no entry fee, and entries are limited to one per writer, per division.

The Open Division is open to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents aged 16 and over who are writing in English. Published and unpublished writers are welcome to enter. Entries must be single stories of no more than 5000 words. They must be original, unpublished pieces of work.

• First Prize: $10,000
• Second Prize: $1,000
• Third Prize: $500

The winning stories will be published by Newsroom in its literary section ReadingRoom.

Find out more: Sargeson Prize :: University of Waikato

Chief Judge Harriet Allan shares some tips: Your Shot At Literary Fame: 2024 Sargeson Prize Opens | Scoop News