Little Stories, Big Ideas
We love your stories
We are proud to announce that Little Stories, Big Ideas has joined the Express Media banner! Little Stories, Big Ideas is a nation-wide flash fiction literary competition for Australian secondary school students.
Entrants write to a themed prompt in 100 words or less, in any literary style they like. Anything is welcome – prose, poetry, comics, song lyrics, or whatever else you love writing. Entries can include writing for readers of any age.
The competition will run twice a year. Winners will be chosen from two categories: Years 7—9, and Year 10—12. Entry is free, and winners will receive an Express Media membership, Voiceworks subscription, masterclass with an author, and more.
Little Stories, Big Ideas gives young writers an opportunity to hone their skills and practice the art of brevity. The prize aims to ignite passion for creative writing in Australian secondary school students and inspire young storytellers across the nation to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and get writing!
The first Little Stories, Big Ideas competition of 2025 will open for applications on Monday 21st April. Keep your eyes peeled for the theme and entry link!
Work together in the classroom to write your entries
Express Media works closely with secondary schools to deliver one-off or series of workshops in short fiction writing. Book ahead of the next Little Stories Big Ideas submission date, and one of our mentors can guide a group of students towards building their confidence and skills.
Big thank you to Joe Novella, Rebecca Fraser, and Sarah Halfpenny for establishing this prize, and entrusting it to Express Media as its new custodians!
Tips for entrants
Be BOLD! Be courageous, and creative. You can say a lot in 100 words - you can even say a lot in 10 words. Interpret the theme as creatively as you like, and with your own style and voice. Most importantly - we care more about the message that your writing conveys than whether the grammar is 100% correct. Don’t be afraid to enter, because whether you win or not, you’ve created a piece of original work which is a special thing to be proud of!
Terms & Conditions
The judges’ decision is final. Our judging panel takes care to ensure that they give each and every entry due consideration. We do not favour or discriminate. Judgement is final and no correspondence will be entered into to discuss the relative merits of one entry over another.
Entries containing profanity or remarks considered to be racist or inflammatory by the organisers will be disqualified.
Winners will need to be able to prove that they meet age restrictions and judges must be confident the winner’s work was original.
While your entries remain your property, by entering our competition you agree to allowing us to publishing your entries on our website, newsletter, promotional materials both printed and digital and social media channels for the reasons of announcing winners and promotion of the competition. Entries will be published with full names of entrants and associated school. If you see your entry published by us and would not like to be fully identified please let us know.
By entering our competitions, you agree to the abovementioned points on this page. The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any entries that contravene the above and block or ban any entrants from future competitions.
