2026 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
2026 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize is now open for entries!
Australian Book Review (ABR) welcomes entries in the 2026 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize, one of the world’s leading prizes for short fiction that now it's in sixteenth edition.
Short description
The Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize, one of the world’s leading prizes for short fiction, organized by the Australian Book Review (ABR) now is it's in sixteenth edition.
Entries must be a single, original story of 2,000 to 5,000 words. But all stories must be written in English.
The Jolley Prize is for fiction, although entries can be inspired by real life.
Previously published or broadcast stories will not be accepted.
Stories can be on any subject and in any style.
Longlisted authors be contacted in July or early August 2026.
The three shortlisted stories will be published in the August or September 2026 issue and the winner will be announced later in the month of publication.
Submission requirements:
➜ Entries should be presented in 12 pt font size. The pages of stories should be numbered. (Please note, if you realise that you have submitted your story without the preferred formatting this will not disqualify it from the Prize.)
➜ Organiser accepts Word documents only.
Who may enter?
The competition is open to anyone. Stories entered in the Jolley must be written by one individual author.
Prize:
The Jolley Prize is worth a total of $12,500 (AUD). This will be split between the three shortlisted authors in the following way:
➜ 1st prize: AU$ 6,000
➜ 2nd prize: AU$ 4,000
➜ 3rd prize: AU$ 2,500
The three shortlisted stories will be published in the August or September 2026 issue and the winner will be announced later in the month of publication.
Entry fees:
➜ Current ABR subscriber: AU$ 20
➜ Standard/non subscriber: AU$ 30
