Woollahra Digital Literary Award

“It’s a strong year for fiction entries — but these shortlisted pieces were not difficult to extract and spotlight. Each story leapt from the page and lingered in my mind for days and weeks after reading. Together, they chart the way people try (or don’t) and fail to know one another. From a quiet study of a narrator's fragile self-protection, to a reimagining of domestic life invaded by the monstrous, each story demonstrates the mess of what it means to be human. The prose is tight, the narrative compelling, and the endings withhold neat resolution. But most of all, what each story achieves is found in its subtext: the layers of what’s left unsaid, unseen or misunderstood. Taken together, these stories show a strong, varied field of contemporary short fiction that was a joy to read.” – Amy Lovat

• Rachel Ang, Son, Kill Your Darlings
• Gayelene Carbis, What's Polish For: 'The Price We Pay', Varnish Online
• Patrick Hunn, The Cleaver, HEAT
• Katy Knighton, The Suicide, Varnish Online
• Amelia Winter, Every Day for the Rest of His Life, HEAT

“This year I was eager for essays with a compelling opening: a digitally published essay competes with the entire internet to hold the reader’s attention, and I wanted essays that were quick to pose enticing questions, that persuaded me of a mystery worth exploring, and that followed through with a cohesive, resonant ending. I never need—or even want—all the answers, but I do seek a sense of a journey completed. I also wanted voice: distinctiveness, inventiveness, resonance. And finally, I wanted the writing to feel fresh, to say something I hadn’t heard before, even subtly, with a sense of cohesion. Every one of the shortlisted essays glitters with these qualities, and I’m excited to share them with you.” – Ashley Kalagian Blunt

• Tegan Bennett Daylight, Life at its most free: on not writing Ruth Park's biography, Sydney Review of Books
• Angela Edward, The Fridge(PDF, 116KB), RUSSH
• Sally Olds, The FLINTAverse, The Paris End
• Ellena Savage, Gossip Island, The Paris End

“Reading this year's submissions, I found myself laughing a lot, frequently unsettled, sometimes devastated but not all that surprised by the extraordinary things poets are doing with their craft. With this shortlist, I was impressed by the variety of voices and forms, as well as oddball points of view that might just provide serviceable navigational tools for the complex political and ecological crises we're currently living through. I also want to acknowledge the obvious care taken by publishers in presenting these works online. It was a pleasure and joy to encounter such tenderly curated poetry.” – Luke Patterson

• Toby Fitch, Cute Poem, Island Magazine
• Chris Fleming, Huts, Overland Literary Journal
• Hannah Jenkins, Your machine is a cloud chamber / cosmic ray seance, Taper
• Abbra Kotlarczyk, Eponymous Tree, Plumwood Mountain Journal
• Tim Loveday, Dog Act(or), Cordite Poetry Review
• Elif Sezen, We are all chosen, Kalliope X Magazine

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 Development ($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 are made through 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 (2023) and Big Feelings (2025) and the current program manager of the Newcastle Writers Festival. She has 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, Australia.

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: Luke Patterson

Luke Patterson is a Gamilaroi poet, educator and musician living on Gadigal lands. His research and creative practice are grounded in extensive work with First Nations and other community-based organisations across Australia. His debut poetry collection, A Savage Turn, is out now with Magabala Books.

Digital Innovation: Justin Wolfers

Justin Wolfers is a publisher at Murdoch Books, a division of Allen & Unwin. He has worked in a range of roles across editorial and publishing for over 15 years including print, online and experimental forms, and is passionate about the intersection of culture, storytelling and technology. He holds a PhD from the Writing & Society Research Centre at Western Sydney University and was shortlisted for the APA Rising Star Award in 2024.

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, 3MB)

Woollahra Libraries operates under the Council’s Donations and Sponsorship Policy.(PDF, 692KB)