Many writers have shared their thoughts with the public:

"There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they'll take you." - Beatrix Potter

"The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say." - Ana s Nin

"Sharing your writing, being enlarged by others' writing, is what makes you feel famous." - Gretchen Bernabei

"Writing is not an amusing occupation. It is a combination of ditch-digging, mountain-climbing, treadmill and childbirth." - Edna Ferber

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." - Ben Franklin

"One must be drenched in words, literally soaked in them, to have the right ones to form themselves into the proper pattern at the right moment." - Hart Crane

"There are three rules for writing. Unfortunately, no one can agree what they are." - W. Somerset Maugham

The Best of Times Short Story Competition

Autumn 2026 results

Note: stories will be available for reading soon if the authors give permission.

First Place ($385)

Wendy Wardell, WA: Extra-ordinary Ambitions

Second Place ($96)

Barry Rosenberg, QLD: From Fast to Medium

Third Place ($32)

Jed Richardson, QLD: The Frenchman - A Travel (Horror) Story

Highly Commended

Vicky Daddo, VIC: Ker-ching

Barry Rosenberg, QLD: A Romantic Tail

David Lynch, WA: The Country Wedding

Commended

Cameron Algie, VIC: The Tramways Waltz

Cheryl Lockwood, QLD: I Survived Car Pool

David Lynch, WA: The Town That Stole a Pub

Keith Mexsom, NSW: All Things Bright and Beautiful


There were 67 short stories in the competition, from 55 entrants.