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, 3,000-30,000 words. Novels over 30,000 words can be entered by providing a PDF sample of 1-2 chapters. Judges may request access to full novel for reading based on initial read of a sample.

Non-Fiction ($2,500 prize)
A monograph, collection of essays or a long essay - published in the first instance online or in an electronic format that can be accessed on a computer, tablet or mobile device. 3,000-30,000 words. Longer digital monographs can be entered by providing a PDF sample of 1-2 chapters. Judges may request access to full monograph for reading based on initial read of a sample.

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)
Works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry (or a hybrid of these) published in the first instance online or in an electronic format that can be accessed on a computer, tablet or mobile device. This is a professional writing category where digital technology is used in an innovative way to enhance written storytelling. We are looking for works that seamlessly integrate digital elements in the story in a new and dynamic way to generate mood, tone and genre.

Entries can solely be entered into the Digital Innovation Category if they don't easily meet the criteria for Fiction, Non-Fiction or Poetry (above).

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.

Meet our judges:

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.

Poetry: Ali Whitelock

Ali Whitelock is a Scottish poet living in an old church out west with her French, low-carb, chain-smoking husband. She’s published three poetry collections with Wakefield Press and a memoir about growing up in Scotland, launched at Sydney Writers’ Festival and in the UK. Her poetry appears in journals around the world. She likes cats, also dogs—and while she’s long favoured red wine, lately it’s been white. Go figure.

Digital Innnovation: Brett Osmond

Brett Osmond is Managing Director at creative and digital agency Leading Hand Design. He was formerly Marketing and Publicity Director at Penguin Random House, where he became Head of Digital and part of the ebooks leadership team. Brett also led the Federal Government’s Books Alive campaign.

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, .pbd, .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 an multimedia piece, story, article, essay or poetry available on an 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 2025 Woollahra Digital Literary Award. For information on levels of support and reciprocal benefits, please review our Award Sponsorship Package(PDF, 10MB) . 

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