Griffith Review 89: Here Be Monsters

Portent, symbol, metaphor: from the Bunyip of Aboriginal folklore to the Slenderman of social media, from Count Dracula to the (far more sinister) emotional vampire, monsters of all forms have offered us ways to express and exorcise our fears for thousands of years. This edition of Griffith Review surveys beasts and bogeymen past and present, real and imagined, to peel back the layers of our social and cultural anxieties. What are we most afraid of? When is monstrosity alluring rather than frightening? And what form might the monsters of the future take?

Submissions are open from Monday 6 January to Sunday 16 February.  

Things for you to note: 

* We're looking for non-fiction only that responds to the theme.    

* We want pieces that are no longer than 4,000 words (they can, of course, be much shorter than this).    

* Attention poets! We'll be opening a separate poetry call-out on 3 March – keep an eye on our social media and newsletter for more details soon.    

* We'll let you know the outcome of your submission within eight weeks of the call-out closing date.     

Full submissions only – no pitches, please. 

Submissions close: 11:59 pm AEST, 16 February 2025  

Publication date: August 2025

Emerging Voices 2025

Call-out

Griffith Review is looking for submissions of fiction and creative non-fiction from 3,500 to 5,000 words. You can write to any theme you like – but we’re looking for new ideas, fresh voices and bold perspectives – work that commands our attention.

Griffith Review has a long history of discovering and supporting early-career writers. We have a distinguished track record of nurturing new voices, publishing creative thinkers and supporting our writers to establish enduring industry connections.

Up to four winning entries will be selected by our judges: Jane Novak (Jane Novak Literary Agency), Terri-ann White (Upswell) and John Morrissey (author) with Griffith Review’s editorial staff. The winners will share a prize pool of $20,000, and their work will be published in Griffith Review.

For the purposes of this competition, we are defining ‘emerging’ as writers ranging from previously unpublished through to those with a maximum of one published book (fiction or non-fiction).

Entry fees are $25 for non-subscribers and $15 for current subscribers. The entry fee entitles you to a complimentary digital subscription, valid for six months. (If you are a subscriber we will extend your existing subscription by six months).

Entries close: 11.59 pm AEST on Monday 7 April 2025

Winners announced: July 2025

Publication dates: From 1 November 2025 to 1 August 2026.

Please refer to the full terms and conditions here.
 

Before you submit...

Please make sure that you've completed the following steps before you submit your entry:

1. Please name your submission document file with your surname first, then the genre. For example: filename: surname_fiction.doc. Do not include your name or any identifying information in the document itself.
2. Make sure your submission is an editable Word document with 12pt Times New Roman font, 1.5 line spacing and all document margins set to 2.54 cm.
3. Please submit only one entry.
4. Please pay your entry fee via GriffithPay and keep a note of the receipt number.
    

Summary of Terms and Conditions of Entry

• Entries 11.59pm AEST on Monday 7 April 2025. Early submissions are encouraged. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Submissions are limited to Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents.
• Original works of fiction and creative non-fiction only. Work between 3,500 and 5,000 words is preferable; if a piece is slightly over or under the work limit (no more than 10%) we can still accept the submission.
• Works must not have been published elsewhere in any format.
• Emerging writers are defined for the purposes of this competition as writers ranging from previously unpublished through to those with a maximum of one published book (fiction or non-fiction). Note: Self-published books that have sold over 500 copies will be considered published works.
• Only one entry per author.
• All entries must be submitted electronically via the Submittable page. Emailed or posted entries will not be accepted.
• Entry fee for the competition is $25 (including GST) or $15 (including GST) for Griffith Review subscribers. Entry fees must be paid via GriffithPay here. Entries that are submitted without corresponding payment will not be accepted. Griffith Review subscriptions can be purchased at Griffith Review. The entry fee entitles you to a complimentary digital subscription, valid for six months.
• All potential entrants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the type of work published by Griffith Review before submitting.
• It is anticipated that four works will be selected for publication, but the judges reserve the right to vary the number selected.
• Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges and the Griffith Review editorial team in a blind reading. The decision will be final and there will be no correspondence with unsuccessful candidates about the merits of the work submitted.
• The winning works will undergo a professional editorial process prior to publication.
• Winners will share the $20,000 prize pool. The amount awarded to each author will be at the discretion of Griffith Review. All entrants will be notified of the outcomes by 31 July 2025.
• Winning works will be published in an edition of Griffith Review between 1 November 2025 and 1 August 2026 (Griffith Review editions 89, 90 and 91).
• Please refer to the full terms and conditions here.