Six of the Best – take the Hemingway challenge

Share Six of the Best – take the Hemingway challenge on Facebook Share Six of the Best – take the Hemingway challenge on Twitter Share Six of the Best – take the Hemingway challenge on Linkedin Email Six of the Best – take the Hemingway challenge link

Consultation has concluded

The winners have been announced for this year's Six of the Best short story competition, held by Armidale Regional Library.

Adult Division
First prize - Emily Agar, Second Prize - Su Woodward, Third prize - Ingrid Steddy, Highly commended - Helen Smith.

School Students: Year 7-12

First prize - Roie Wood, Second Prize - Zaiden Kennedy, Third Prize - Neve Crotty, Highly commended – Solomon Layton.

School Students: Kindergarten – Year 6
First prize - Anna Gooley, Second Prize - Tabitha Hignett, Third prize - Sophie Ridley, Highly commended - Maggie Ridley.

See their entries

This is the second year Armidale War Memorial Library has held the shortest short story competition, inviting people to 'Take the Hemmingway Challenge'.

It is said Ernest Hemingway took up a challenge to write a short story in six words. This is what he created on the back of a beer mat: FOR SALE: BABY SHOES, NEVER WORN.

Everyone has a story to tell and this competition encourages residents to tell theirs.

More than 350 entries were received when the Library held Six of the Best for the first time last year and entries in 2018 topped 400.

A schools category was introduced in 2018 to encourage entries from students.

Click here to see entry conditions.

Read the competition rules.

Click here to see last year's winners and highly commended entries.

The winners have been announced for this year's Six of the Best short story competition, held by Armidale Regional Library.

Adult Division
First prize - Emily Agar, Second Prize - Su Woodward, Third prize - Ingrid Steddy, Highly commended - Helen Smith.

School Students: Year 7-12

First prize - Roie Wood, Second Prize - Zaiden Kennedy, Third Prize - Neve Crotty, Highly commended – Solomon Layton.

School Students: Kindergarten – Year 6
First prize - Anna Gooley, Second Prize - Tabitha Hignett, Third prize - Sophie Ridley, Highly commended - Maggie Ridley.

See their entries

This is the second year Armidale War Memorial Library has held the shortest short story competition, inviting people to 'Take the Hemmingway Challenge'.

It is said Ernest Hemingway took up a challenge to write a short story in six words. This is what he created on the back of a beer mat: FOR SALE: BABY SHOES, NEVER WORN.

Everyone has a story to tell and this competition encourages residents to tell theirs.

More than 350 entries were received when the Library held Six of the Best for the first time last year and entries in 2018 topped 400.

A schools category was introduced in 2018 to encourage entries from students.

Click here to see entry conditions.

Read the competition rules.

Click here to see last year's winners and highly commended entries.

Consultation has concluded

  • 2018 winners

    Share 2018 winners on Facebook Share 2018 winners on Twitter Share 2018 winners on Linkedin Email 2018 winners link

    Here are the winners of the 2018 Six of the Best competition, chosen from more than 400 entries across the three divisions.

    Adult Division

    First prize - Emily Agar: Position vacant. Right side. Pillow provided.
    Second Prize - Su Woodward: Gladys loathed “Independent Living”. Nobody smiled.
    Third prize - Ingrid Steddy: Her name was never mentioned again.
    Highly commended - Helen Smith: He reluctantly tasted his own medicine.

    School Students: Year 7-12
    First prize - Roie Wood: Sale: Glass slipper. Will marry buyer.
    Second Prize - Zaiden Kennedy: We do not serve your kind.
    Third Prize - Neve Crotty: Her wrist had deep paper cuts.
    Highly commended - Solomon Layton: Born a twin. Graduated only child.

    School Students: Kindergarten – Year 6
    First prize - Anna Gooley: All they found was her tooth.
    Second Prize - Tabitha Hignett: Coming soon magic slippers for sale!
    Third prize - Sophie Ridley: I knew she knew my secret.
    Highly commended - Maggie Ridley: The new wall towered over me.

  • The rules for Six of the Best

    Share The rules for Six of the Best on Facebook Share The rules for Six of the Best on Twitter Share The rules for Six of the Best on Linkedin Email The rules for Six of the Best link

    Conditions for entries

    Entries must use six words only – no more, no less.

    Entries must not contain: Phrases quoted from titles of other works; text speak or emojis; figures; images; or languages other than English.

    Punctuated contractions (e.g. shouldn’t, can’t etc.) will count as two words in the word limit.

    Appropriate punctuation is allowed.

    Punctuation is not included in the word limit.

    Entry to the competition is restricted to the first six entries per person.

    Entry categories:

    School students – Levels K-6

    School students – Levels 7-12

    Adult age 18+

    Entries will be accepted online from 1 September 2018 to 28 September 2018.

    Winners will be announced on 15 October 2018

    Judges: Jack Bedson, Julian Croft and Kaye Mill


  • Best of the best in 2017

    Share Best of the best in 2017 on Facebook Share Best of the best in 2017 on Twitter Share Best of the best in 2017 on Linkedin Email Best of the best in 2017 link

    The 2017 winning and highly commended entries:

    Her apology brought shame to everyone. Su Woodward

    He was a girl at school. Sooz Heinrich

    She was never considered a scientist. Lou Goggin

    Her last words were her first. Jess Cochrane

    “Hi.” She walked away, unnoticed, unharmed. Kate Andrews

    The peephole revealed an imaginary life. Kate Andrews

    That bag is ticking. Call Martin. William Bennett

    Sadly, no bridges left to burn. Ben Gooley