Stories

•       All entrants must reside in Australia

•       Entrants must be in Grades 1 to Year 8

•       The word limit is 350 words for stories

•       Entries must be original

•       One (1) story per person

Picture Stories

•       All entrants must reside in Australia

•       Entrants must be in Grades 1-8

•       The limit is a maximum of eight panels over two pages (four panels to a page)

•       Maximum of two sentences per panel (including speech bubbles)

•       Entries must be original

•       One picture story per person

Entries open - 21 July 2025

Entries close - 19 September 2025

Judging Decision - 3 October 2025

Final Selection Performance
Fish Creek Festival of Stories - 15 November 2025  

Entry Categories

Four entry categories divided into school years:  

• one and two

• three and four

• five and six

• seven and eight

Written stories

• Limited to 350 words

• This limit assists some younger writers and provides a challenge for older writers.

Picture stories

• The limit is a maximum of eight panels over two pages (four panels to a page)

• Maximum of two sentences per panel (including speech bubbles)

• It is expected that the story is most important element and drives the pictures. The pictures help to tell the story!

The sky and your imagination are the limit, the topic is the choice of the author/ artist/ school.

Previous entries include - fantasy, personal experience, adventure, science fiction, description, places, heroes, sporting champions, people you admire, relatives, holidays, pets, romance, friends, happiness, fear, worry, anger or confusion.

Stories  

• Captures imagination of the reader

• Interesting, brave, innovative use of words (vocab etc )

• Story makes sense

• Dialogue – sounds believable (not wooden)

• Description and Imagery – makes scenes and characters come to life

• Characters – feel real and three dimensional

• Action – reader feels part of the action

• Something unique about the story

• Punctuation, spelling and grammar – NOT the most important aspect

Picture Stories  

The illustrations:

• To be funny, dramatic, or scary and suit the story

• Are well positioned within the story

• Bring life and interest to the story

• Use a mixture of close-up, mid-distance or far-away

• Of people who have emotional personality ie; facial expression, and or body-language.

• Have some surprise or extra imaginative element about them, that is not always in the text.

What is the Writing Challenge timeline?

Entries open - 21 July 2025

Entries close - 19 September 2025

Final selection (20 entries) - October 3 2025

Fish Creek Festival - 15 November 2025 

How do I enter the Fishy Stories Writing Challenge?

All entries should be submitted using the entry form for stories and picture stories on this web site.

Is there a theme for the Fishy Stories Writing Challenge?

Your entry can be about anything! Fantasy, personal experience, adventure, science fiction, description, places, heroes, sporting champions, people you admire, relatives, holidays, pets, romance, friends, happiness, fear, worry, anger or confusion.

Is the story title included in the Story 350 word limit?

No.

Is the story title included in the Picture Story 4 double page limit?

No, add your separate title page

When is the closing date for the Fishy Stories Writing Challenge?

Friday 19 September 2025

When and how will you announce the twenty selected stories and picture stories?

The twenty stories / picture stories selected by the judging panel for performance at the Fishy Stories Festival will be announced during October 2025.

How will the twenty stories / picture stories be selected?

A panel of adults and students will consider the following when selecting the twenty stories.

1. A story that is original and sparks intrigue and imagination.

2. Engaging and strong characters.

3. Clear description which brings the story to life.

4. Clear diagrams which brings the story to life.

5. Story makes sense

Can I submit more than one story?

You can only enter one story or one picture story - and it has to be all your own work.

If you enter more than one story or one picture story then we will only consider the first submission as part of the Writing Challenge.

Does my story have to be written in prose?

All stories will be judged on the same criteria. Your story can take any form - be that a poem, play, dialogue or other written form.

Can I submit my story in non-English language?

All stories must be submitted in English language.

Does my story have to be typed?

Yes, your story has to be typed. Hand written stories will not be accepted.

When is the Fish Creek Children’s Festival of Stories?

Held in the township of Fish Creek on Saturday 15 November 2025.