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

Spring 2025 results

Note: stories are available for reading only where the authors have given permission.

First Place ($262)

David Vernon, ACT: Out to Pasture

Second Place ($65)

Barry Rosenberg, QLD: Surrealism Beach

Third Place ($21)

Cheryl Lockwood, QLD: The Good Guy

Highly Commended

Ann Martin, TAS: Beautiful Dreamer

Diana Thurbon, VIC: Blue Teeth

Lesley-Anne Willott, SA: The Little Things

Commended

Frank Marrazza, NSW: The Sprout of Doubt

Lorraine Manton, NSW: Words With the Muse

Varda Tully, VIC: When Irish Eyes Aren't Smiling

Karen Jamieson, NSW: Red and Green Tape


There were 46 short stories in the competition, from 42 entrants.