From a mammoth 1126 submissions, 77 entries have been shortlisted for the 2026 Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing (NPCW).
The biennial prize is open nationally and invites short stories of up to 2,500 words and poems up to 60 lines. The theme for the 2026 prize was Echoes.
Entries were invited in youth, open, and local categories for both short stories and poetry.
Mayor Naomi Joiner said the overwhelming response from writers across Australia reflects the esteem associated with the prize.
"Nillumbik has a long and proud history of supporting Australian writers and valuing the contribution of artists both local and national," Cr Joiner said.
"My congratulations go to all those on the shortlist. The quantity and quality of entries was incredible and being shortlisted is no mean feat," she said.
The NPCW evolved from the Alan Marshall Short Story Award and Nillumbik Ekphrasis Poetry Award to become a highly regarded biennial writing prize. It is delivered in partnership with Writers Victoria and Yarra Plenty Regional Library.
Entries deemed to be the best work in each genre under each category will receive a monetary prize plus publication in the NPCW anthology. Category winners will be announced and the anthology launched at a public event in May.
Our thanks go to the judges of the 2026 Prize: Bebe Oliver, Jen Webb, Julia Prendergast, and Raeden Richardson.
View the judges' bios, plus the shortlist for short story and poetry on our website: nillumbik.vic.gov.au/NPCW
