SCARLET STILETTO AWARDS 2026 ARE NOW OPEN!

Sharpen your pencils – and your imaginations. It’s that time of year again, where you get to explore the unwritten story that’s been niggling at you, or create something fresh from out of nowhere. The 2026 Scarlet Stiletto Awards are open from now until 31 August.

The competition is open to all women (and girls), including transgender or intersex, who are citizens/residents of Australia.

There is $13,500 in prize money, including a brand new category: Cosy Cat Capers. All your old favourites are still there and I want to encourage you to get writing and share your stories with us.

This year we have made some significant changes, ones that will make it easier for you to enter your stories in the competition.

The most important one is that you now enter through our website. It’s a one-stop shop where you can jump online, read through the Conditions of Entry, register and pay for your entries, upload the registration AND your entry – and you’re done.

Here is the link to the website where you will find all the information you need:
https://sistersincrime.org.au/scarlet-stiletto-awards-how-to-enter/

If you’re looking for a little extra inspiration, here are 13,500 reasons why it’s a great idea to enter the 33rd Scarlet Stiletto Awards.

SPONSORS AND PRIZE MONEY ($13,500 in total)

Swinburne University Award: 1st Prize: $2000

Simon & Schuster Award: 2nd Prize: $1000

Sun Bookshop & Fremantle Press Award: 3rd Prize: $800

Carmel Shute Award for Best Young Writer (under 19): $1000

Melbourne Athenaeum Library ‘Body in the Library’ Award: $1250 ($750 runner-up)

HQ Books Award for Best Thriller: $1200

Kerry Greenwood Award for Best Malice Domestic Story: $1000

Every Cloud Phryne Award for Best Mystery with History Story: $1000

Bolton Clarke Art and Crime Award: $500