Mayor Andy Foster is pleased to announce that entries for the 2021 Absolutely Positively Wellington short story competition are now open.

“This is a chance for writers to set a creative course in the short story genre in the company of Patricia Grace, Katherine Mansfield, Witi Tame Ihimaera-Smiler, Margaret Mahy, Lloyd Jones, and Joy Cowley – celebrated New Zealand authors known for their short stories.

“Wellington is famous for its iconic wind – and whether you love it or hate it – it shapes our lives. We have chosen City of Wind as a theme this year and we are welcoming entries in Te Reo Māori or English, or as a combination of the two,” says Mayor Foster.

The 2021 APW Short Story Competition is sponsored by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor Sarah Free, and is open to writers 9 – 18 years.

Deputy Mayor Sarah Free says: “We are looking for fact or fiction stories that explore the love hate relationship people have with this force of nature. Serious or fun, futuristic, or based on a historical chapter in Wellington’s history, now is the moment to unsheathe your pen, sharpen your pencil and fire up your word processor.

“Short stories are a powerful creative genre providing for an intense experience for both reader and writer. We are very pleased to have last year’s judge, Laureen Keenan, herself an award-winning writer, return as our judge and mentor to the finalists.”

Prizes

• A creative development session with the judge
• A certificate signed by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor
• An invitation for you and your immediate family to have lunch with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. You are welcome to bring your School Principal and Writing Teacher
• A book voucher to the value of $200.

Deadline

The competition for all categories closes at 11.59pm 25 February 2022.

© Scoop Media