NEW YORK — Nominees for a prestigious $20,000 short fiction prize include authors whose stories span a range of settings, from Australia to Central America.

The Story Prize, which has been awarded since 2004, has recognized notable authors such as Edwidge Danticat, George Saunders, and Elizabeth Strout in the past.

This year’s shortlisted works feature Fiona McFarlane’s “Highway Thirteen,” a narrative about an Australian serial killer; “There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven” by Ruben Reyes Jr., which explores the experiences of Central American migrants heading to the United States; and “Ghost Pains” by Jessi Jezewska Stevens, a collection featuring unique perspectives from a courtroom witness, a challenging journey to Tuscany, and a particularly dreadful party.

Larry Dark, director of The Story Prize, praised the originality and execution of the finalists’ works in a statement on Monday, stating that the short story format remains a versatile and vibrant means of literary expression. Dark emphasized that such innovative collections show the art of storytelling is still alive and evolving.

The winner of this year’s award is set to be revealed on March 25.