Woollahra Digital Literary Award

Fiction ($2,500 prize)
A short story, short story collection, novella or novel - published in the first instance online or in an electronic format that can be accessed on a computer, tablet or mobile device. Novella or short story entries, 2,000-30,000 words. Longer works will be considered for judging, but the work may not be read by judges in its entirety during the initial judging period, unless work is deemed of a high literary standard and is considered in the running for longlisting for the Fiction Award.

Non-Fiction ($2,500 prize)
A monograph, collection of essays or a longform essay - published in the first instance online or in an electronic format that can be accessed on a computer, tablet or mobile device. 2,000-30,000 words. Longer digital monographs will be considered for judging, but the work may not be read by judges in it’s entirety during the initial judging period, unless work is deemed of a high literary standard and is considered in the running for longlisting for the Non-Fiction Award.

Poetry ($1,000 prize)
Works of poetry published in the first instance online or in an electronic format that can be accessed on a computer, tablet or mobile device. Video and multimedia poems accepted, as well as text-based poetry that has been published online in the first instance. Maximum word count is 3,000 words. There is no minimum word count. 

Digital Innovation ($1,500 prize)
Creators of literature relying on technology to enhance storytelling are invited to apply for seed-funding to help them turn their vision into a reality. Writers can submit a proposal for a work of fiction or non-fiction (or a hybrid of these) that contains dynamic digital elements used in new and innovative ways, or that incorporates digital elements to generate a specific narrative mood, tone or genre.

The Digital Innovation prize will support the winning author by providing funds to engage a programmer, digital artist, or editor to help seamlessly integrate digital elements into the proposed work.

Entries in the Digital Innovation Category will require a separate entry form.

Readers’ Choice ($250 prize)
The Readers’ Choice Award is an additional prize of $250 that is offered once the shortlist is announced. This Award invites everyone in the community to read the shortlist and cast a vote for their favourite entry.

Fiction: Amy Lovat

Amy Lovat is the author of Mistakes and Other Lovers and Program Manager of the Newcastle Writers Festival. She holds a PhD in English and Writing and lives with her wife, a brood of animals, and thousands of books across unceded Awabakal and Gadigal Country in NSW. Her second novel, Big Feelings, is due out in July 2025.

Non-Fiction: Ashley Kalagian Blunt

Ashley Kalagian Blunt is the bestselling author of Dark Mode, a psychological thriller published internationally and shortlisted for the 2024 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year, the Ned Kelly Awards, and the Danger Award. It was also voted number 20 in the Better Reading Top 100. Her other thrillers include Cold Truth and Like Follow Die. Ashley is also the author of the memoir How to Be Australian and My Name Is Revenge, which was a finalist in the 2018 Carmel Bird Digital Literary Award. Her work appears in Sydney Morning Herald, Overland, Kill Your Darlings, and more. She co-hosts the podcast James and Ashley Stay at Home and teaches writing workshops across Australia.

2026 Poetry and Digital Innovation Judges will be announced soon. 

Judging Opportunities 

If you are interested in being considered as a judge in the future, please complete our Expression of Interest form and include the following:

• Contact details
• Statement of suitability as a literary judge (no more than 3,000 characters)
• Curriculum vitae (no more than 1 page)
• Reference(s)
• Recent Photo for promotional purposes if appointed

Submit a Judge EOI

The Woollahra Digital Literary Award is open to all Australian Residents aged 16 years and over, who have published work online in the first instance in last two years.

Submitted works must be available online as: .epub, .mobi/azw, .ibooks or .pdf file from a known e-book vendor or platform (such as iBookstore, Google Play, Amazon, Bookworld, Kobo, Baker & Taylor or Overdrive), or as a multimedia piece, story, article, essay or poetry available on a blog, online magazine, journal or website that has an editorial selection process.

Please note: Entrants must provide a URL to the web location where digital work can be accessed as proof of publication. It is the responsibility of each entrant to provide a working URL. Only works that were published in a digital format in the first instance will be accepted for judging.

Check the conditions of entry and frequently asked questions.

We are currently accepting contributions and partnership proposals for the 2026 Woollahra Digital Literary Award. For information on levels of support and reciprocal benefits, please review our Award Sponsorship Package(PDF, 6MB) . 

Woollahra Libraries operates under the Council’s Donations and Sponsorship Policy(PDF, 673KB).