Short Story Prize Rules

By entering the prize you agree to the following terms and conditions. Failure to follow these rules could lead to disqualification:

  • The theme of the 2022-2023 Short Story Prize is “Home”.

  • The stories can be either fiction or narrative non-fiction

  • You are limited to one submission of up to 1,000 words, not including the title

  • You must include the title of your work on your submission, but not your name

  • You may also submit to the Poetry Prize, but must submit your poem(s) separately through the Poetry Submission Portal

  • Submissions will open on 16th October 2021 at 18.00, and close at 18.00 10th April 2023. Submission is free

  • You must cut and paste your submission into the form. We will reformat it into double-spaced 12-point Times New Roman. Please contact us if your submission requires special formatting.

  • Your work must be your own. It must be original and not already published online or offline.

  • All entries will be checked for plagiarism and plagiarists will be automatically disqualified.

  • You must be in upper-secondary Swiss public education when you submit your work

  • Students studying for international examinations (such as the IB or A levels) or attending schools where the teaching language is primarily English are NOT eligible to enter the prize

  • During the submission process you must indicate whether you speak English with members of your immediate or extended family, or are undertaking a immersion course of study (such as a year abroad in an English-speaking country). Extra consideration will be given to students who are non-native and not in immersion programmes

  • During the submission process you must indicate whether you are studying for the Maturity Certificate. Extra consideration will be given to students who are not taking this examination.

  • Do not write your name on your submission. All submissions will be judged anonymously

  • The judge’s decision is final and without appeal

  • The judges, the organisers, their friends and family are not allowed to enter the competition

  • Short-listed writers will be contacted at the end of April 2023. The results will also be published online

  • Up to 10 short-listed writers will be invited to a half-day writing workshop on 14th May 2023 at the Lili Centre  in Lucerne, where they will be taught by the prize judge

  • There will be a Reception following the workshop for the short-listed writers and a guest

  • The winners will be announced at the Reception and will receive CHF 100, CHF 75 and CHF 50 for first, second and third places respectively. Half of the Prize is paid in cash, the other in book tokens.

  • The workshop participants will receive a copy of the In Their Words anthology, as will their teachers.

  • By entering the prize you allow us to use any photos of the workshop, reception or prize giving on our website and communications materials

  • By entering the prize you give us the the exclusive right to publish the shortlisted and winning short stories for a period of six months following their announcement. After six months, rights revert to the author

  • The organisers reserve the right to change these terms and conditions at any time

Please contact us if you have further questions.