How to enter

  • The deadline for receipt of entries is 23:59 EST on 22 March 2024.

  • All entries must be in English and should be double spaced in 12 point Times New Roman font.

  • There are no geographical restrictions on entry: while the Prize is Australia-based, all writers – within and outside Australia – are welcome to enter.

  • Writers may enter as many stories as they like; each separate story requires a separate entry fee.

  • Submissions should be no less than 2,000 words and no more than 5,000 words in length.

  • Submissions are only accepted via the Submittable platform.

  • There are no restrictions on genre, style, theme, or subject, but entries should be prose – not poetry or academic essays.

  • Submissions must not have been published before; this includes online and in print media. All submissions should be new work.

  • Submissions should not contain the author's name or personal details anywhere on the piece document. We require the title of the piece and the piece itself only.

  • Submission should speak to themes of hope, courage and resilience as experienced or expressed by you, the author. You can visit our Instagram (@hopeprize) for inspiration.

  • The winning entries and a selection of highly commended entries will be included in an anthology to be published by Simon & Schuster Australia. All royalties from the anthology will be donated to support mental health charity, Beyond Blue. The anthology will be available in Australia and by print on demand internationally.

  • The prize pool is $13,000 AUD with allocations as follows: The winning writer will receive $10,000 AUD, second place will be awarded $2,000 AUD and third place will be awarded $1,000 AUD.

  • Each submission requires a payment of $22 AUD

The prize

  • The prize pool is $13,000 AUD with allocations as follows: The winning writer will receive $10,000 AUD, second place will be awarded $2,000 AUD and third place will be awarded $1,000 AUD.

  • First prize is sponsored by Simon & Schuster, second and third prizes are sponsored jointly by Readings and The Hope Prize.

  • The winning entries and a selection of highly commended entries will be included in an anthology to be published by Simon & Schuster Australia. All royalties from the anthology will be donated to support mental health charity, Beyond Blue. The anthology will be available in Australia and by print on demand internationally.

By sharing your story of hope, you show the world what is possible when you believe there is a light in the dark.