Competition Details
The 2026 Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition is now open!
The competition will close 6PM AEST Friday 7 August, 2026.
Maximum 1,000 words
Theme: I'm Glad You Called
$18.50AU entry (payment required within 24 hours of submission)
We’re looking for stories with powerful beginnings, rising tension, and a climax that resonates, to the theme of I'm Glad You Called.
That simple phrase – I’m Glad You Called – can hold relief, dread, gratitude, humour, or even regret, depending on who says it and why. Perhaps you’ll consider stories where the call changes something – perhaps it interrupts a life-altering decision, reconnects estranged people, delivers unexpected news, or arrives from someone the caller never expected to hear from. You might explore different genres: a suspenseful late-night call that prevents a disaster, a romantic reconnection sparked by a wrong number, a speculative tale where the call comes across time or from beyond, or a quiet, emotional story where the act of reaching out is the true turning point. Focus on the emotional shift contained in that one sentence – what it meant before the call, and how everything feels after it’s spoken.
Feeling inspired? Happy writing. We look forward to reading your entry.
Before you enter the competition, we strongly suggest you check out our previous years' winning entries.
2024 The Look That Said it All Anthology
2023 Detours
Prize
First prize:
Second prize:
A year-long membership to the Queensland Writers Centre (valued at $79).
Third prize:
A year-long membership to the Queensland Writers Centre (valued at $79).
Fourth prize:
A year-long membership to the Queensland Writers Centre (valued at $79).
Winners who are existing QWC members will win a 12-month membership extension. Winners don’t have to be Queensland-based to enjoy the many wonderful membership benefits of the QWC.
TOP 40 published in an anthology – free digital copy to all published entrants.
(To learn more about sponsorship opportunities please contact us)
What Judges Are Looking For
Judges are looking for the following:
— Writing ability: correct tense, point of view, minimal redundant words and adverbs, show not tell.
— Story arc: rising tension, climax, resolution.
— Adherence to the competition theme.
— Spelling & Grammar.
— Layout conforms to the competition guidelines.
Want an insight into the types of stories that win first prize and get published in our anthology?
Then grab a copy of the 2025 Anthology, If Found, Please Return. Details here.
Our judges can’t wait to read your stories!
We recommend Winning Short Story Competitions as an essential writing guide. Competition judges L. E. Daniels and C. Sawyer show what it takes to win, shortlist and longlist in competitions. Shortlist and longlist credits are just as beneficial to a writer’s career as wins are.
Who is Sydney (Syd) Hammond?
Syd Hammond appeared to be like any ordinary guy. But those who loved him, knew different. He was so much more than ordinary. Syd was born in 1937 and died in 2007, aged 70. As a teenager he taught himself to play guitar. When rock-n-roll first sounded on radio there wasn’t sheet music to follow. Syd and his mates crowded into booths at record stores. They listened keenly to identify their instruments. He hand-made his first electric guitar. He was one of the first Brisbane musicians to play music on TV.
In 1964, Syd received a bravery award for capturing one of Queensland’s most wanted criminals – Bernard Morrow. Driving in his police patrol car, Syd noticed a drunk driver. He pulled him over, and casually suggested the gent go to the police station to sleep it off before he drove any further. Bernard Morrow complied. At the station, with Bernard sleeping it off, Syd sat at a desk and a WANTED poster caught his eye. Staring back at him were the eyes of the man already locked in the cell. He orated with glee the story of luck getting him a bravery award.
Syd portrayed a quintessential Aussie spirit of larrikin, ‘give it a go, mate’, mateship, and do the best you can for your family. Syd loved Australia. He believed in standing up for what you believe in. He believed that music, art, humour and stories are the drumbeats that bring people together.
Tragedy struck in 2000 when his daughter, Julie, and son-in-law, John, were murdered by an intruder. The grief and injustice ran deep. When tragedy strikes we’re reminded of what really matters in our lives. When families are so harmed they often look to transform their heartbreak into community support for others to find the positive.
The Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition to honour his memory was founded by his family.
For Carolyn, Syd’s daughter and the Director of Hawkeye Publishing, words are held with reverence. The ability to articulate to be meaningful, thought-provoking and entertaining fosters community, understanding, change, healing, and celebrating all that should not be taken for granted.
Words are powerful, and our wish with this competition is to acknowledge talented wordsmiths and give writers the opportunity to be heard.
The competition is not-for-profit—profit from the year before is used as the following year’s prize money. Judges announce the winner, short-list, and long list. These top 45 stories are published in an anthology, and all those published receive a free copy of the book. Guidelines and entry form can be found below.
Our Sponsors
Thanks to our generous sponsors:
Hawkeye Publishing thanks the inaugural sponsors who made the competition possible: Tony & Christine Hammond (gold sponsors), Lynette Hammond, and Shane & Karen Traversari.
Hawkeye would like to thank our 2026 sponsors, the Queensland Writers Centre for their generous support of the Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Writing Competition.
Read the Competition Winner’s Announcement 2025
Hawkeye is delighted to announce the winners for the 2025 Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition!
Congratulations to the 2025 Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition winners:
1st place: Windows into Memory by Des Brady
'A tense story with beautiful and disturbing writing. Thought-provoking.'
2nd place: Once More by Fibiandini Yustiana
‘A heart-thumping take on the adage "what man takes away, the sea returns".'
3rd place: The Rabbit by Kylie Kaden
‘A relatable story of parenthood, difference, and growth, and the best placed use of "dickwad" we've seen in a story.'
Honourable mention: You Broke Me by Jared Kranz
‘A lyrical, well-crafted look at pain, resilience, and turning the tables.'
Honourable mention: Loss by Kenneth J Johnson
‘As one door closes, another opens.'
These entrants achieved highly in all areas of the competition, including writing ability, addressing the theme, and creating rising tension. The winning stories grabbed judges' attention from the first line and presented a polished story that evoked emotion.
Entry Terms and Conditions 2026
By entering a piece in the Sydney Hammond Short Story Award – a writing competition – you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions.
Download the 2026 Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition Entry Terms and Conditions here.
