Entries are now open for OutStanding, the LGBTIQ Short Story Competition.  OutStanding is Australia and New Zealand’s premier literary competition for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer community.

This year, writers are called on to produce a 750 word story with this year’s theme of The Next Big Thing.

The competition offers a first prize of $1000 with second, third and three highly commended receiving a combination of cash and literary prizes, plus a youth prize of $500 for writers 25 and under.  
All winning stories are published in the Star Observer and on the OutStanding website.

The annual competition aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for both emerging and established writers to share stories.  Designed to increase the visibility of LGBTIQ writers in wider literary circles, and more broadly enable LGBTIQ people to take their rightful place in the wider society,  the competition provides a space for the expression of LGBTIQ values, experiences, history and hopes.

The winners night, where winning writers get to read their stories, is a free event to be held at 4pm on Sunday, 30 September.

More information including full rules and entry details are available at the OutStanding website or follow them on Facebook.