GenreCon Short Story Comp
Conjure up and beam in 1,000 words of your best short genre fiction – on the theme of Alchemy – for your chance to win our new grand prize of $1,000, plus online publication.
Guidelines
Entries should be previously unpublished.
Entries open to all Australian or New Zealand citizens or residents.
Multiple entries are permitted.
Maximum 1,000 words. Entries exceeding the word limit are ineligible.
Identifying information, including your name, should not appear anywhere in your submission (including the file name).
All entrants will be notified of the outcome of their submission. (No feedback can be provided and no correspondence may be entered into.)
Entrants grant first right of refusal on the publication of the entry to QWC, if selected as Winner or Runner-Up. Authors retain all other rights.
One Winner will be offered $1,000, online publication and an invitation to attend the GenreCon 2025 Launch Night event.
One Runner-Up may also be offered online publication.
Entry is free for all GenreCon ticketholders and Queensland Writers Centre members. $15 entry fee for non-members.
Entries open: 1 December 2024 – 31 January 2025
The Shreader
Will you brave GenreCon’s fan-favourite Shreader event? Held as part of Sunday lunch, a small group of authors will have their opening pages publicly, professionally – and anonymously – read to a panel of GenreCon authors and speakers. They’ll decide how far to read on – will they like it enough to offer their critique, or will it get sent to the shredder?
Applications open: 1 December 2024 – 31 January 2025
Guidelines
Entries are open exclusively to GenreCon ticketholders – from beginners through to professional writers.
Submit: the first five pages from your genre fiction manuscript.
The work must not be published, contracted for publication or otherwise embargoed.
All rights remain with the author.
No correspondence or feedback will be given, and only selected writers will be notified.
Up to six pieces will be selected in a blind read by a panel from the GenreCon team.
Keep in mind that even anonymously, having your work publicly read, critiqued – and potentially shredded – in front of an audience can be harrowing. By making your application, you agree to be part of this experience if your work is selected.
Consignment Sales
Apply to showcase and sell your published books on consignment at GenreCon 2025: Alchemy in our pop-up conference bookstore. Authors keep 90% profits.
Registrations open: 1 December 2024 – 31 January 2025
Guidelines
Exclusively available to GenreCon ticketholders and presenters.
Nominate up to three separate titles for consideration.
Only titles published/reprinted since 2016 will be accepted on consignment; priority will be placed on most recent publications.
GenreCon will accept up to 25 books on consignment.
Authors cover shipping costs, including return shipping costs if applicable.
Books accepted for consignment should be received by QWC (by mail or dropped off to State Library of Queensland) prior to 15 February 2025.
Authors set RRP; Queensland Writers Centre will take a 10% fee from all sales (additional payment processing fees may apply).
Pitch at GenreCon
GenreCon 2025 is proud to provide writers with the opportunity to pitch work one-on-one to leading Australian and international publishers and agents. Applications are now open; 2025 pitching partners are TBA.
Guidelines
Exclusively available to GenreCon 2025 ticketholders.
Sessions are limited; priority will be given to the first applications received and those that best match the current needs of publishers and agents involved.
Apply to pitch with up to 2 separate manuscripts however please note only one may be selected.
Pitch sessions will take place in-person over the GenreCon weekend, Sat 1 Mar – Sun 2 Mar 2025.
Some online sessions may also be offered.
If selected, your personal pitch schedule will be provided one week prior to the conference.
Applications open: 1 December 2024 – 31 January 2025, or until allocations exhausted