The writing competition is open to anyone with a story to tell about life in regional or rural Australia, accepting short stories between 2000 and 4000 words.

This year marks the first time the competition has had a youth section, offering a prize of $500 and a $250 runner-up prize.

The competition will be judged by Tasmanian novelist Ben Walter and Burruberongal playwright Julie Janson. The youth prize will be judged by Helena Fox, an award-winning writer and writing mentor.

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Cara Anderssen from the Griffith chapter of the Fellowship of Australian Writer's was quick to endorse the competition and encourage anyone to participate.

"You go through the excitement of getting it all ready and taking it off to a publisher, and then hoping that they like what they read ... It gets your name out... hopefully you get published but not always," she said, likening it to traditional publishing processes.

She explained that she had entered similar competitions as an early writer, and didn't do too well but was not dissuaded.

She had three tips to share for up-and-coming writers keen to get their name out. Her main advice was to keep writing and push through any anxiety about it.

"Just hang in there, don't lose focus and enjoy the journey."

Further information and guidelines to apply are available at the competition's website, https://www.olgamastersshortstoryaward.com/.

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