Here are some regularly asked questions with their answers.
If I enter two stories, do I pay two entry fees?
Yes. Supply an entry form for each story and attach a cover page to each story.
Has the submission procedure changed?
Yes. You no longer have to submit a hard copy. For each story, please email a PDF and a completed entry form. The cover sheet for each story should include only the title, category(ies) entered and Eventbrite order number.
Can I enter a story already submitted to another competition?
Yes. However, if successful in another competition, Sisters in Crime Australia must immediately be notified, and the story must be withdrawn from the Scarlet Stiletto Competition.
Can I enter a story that has already been published?
No.
Can I enter a story not written in the English language?
No.
Does my story have to be in prose?
Yes. Performance scripts, stories in verse, graphics and other non-prose modes of story-telling are not eligible.
Is there a limit to the number of categories in which my story may be entered?
No, but it would be difficult for a story to fit all categories. The judges will decide whether a story fits the category(ies) for which it has been entered.
Can I enter if I am not an Australian citizen?
Yes, but you must be resident in Australia.
When will I find out if my story has been shortlisted?
Around late October 2025.
Are winners announced before the award ceremony?
No. Prize-winners are announced at the award ceremony to be held late in the year at a Melbourne venue.
Are shortlisted stories that do not win an award acknowledged in any way?
Authors will be notified
If my story wins a prize, can I get it published?
Yes. You retain copyright, although Sisters in Crime Australia aims to publish or podcast all winning stories as well.
How can I tell if I am a financial member of Sisters in Crime Australia and eligible for the lower entry fee?
Your membership card includes your membership expiration date, which must be on or after August 2025.
If you joined Sisters in Crime after September 2025, your receipt will be proof of financial status. If you cannot
find your card, email us to check your membership status. If you wish to join or renew your membership, go to here.