2026 Longlist Announced - Olga Masters Short Story Award
The annual Olga Masters Short Story Award celebrates outstanding Australian short fiction and the literary legacy of Olga Masters and is presented by South East Arts as part of the Headland Writers Festival.
This year’s judges, Dr Sarah Nicholson and Michael Winkler, considered a very strong field of entries from writers across Australia and are pleased to announce the 2026 Longlisted Authors.
Congratulations to the OMSSA 2026 Longlist:
Back to Feltan Lane by Sandra Barnett (NSW)
Bounce by Jodie Haid (NSW)
I Love Paris I Love Eden by Gizelle Regan (NSW)
You Are Here by poppy white (vic)
Wild Dog Road by susanna cornelius (vic)
Three Millimetres by michelle bertram (NSW)
My Friend Rowie by Alison Batten (WA)
The Country Between by rebecca hodges (VIC)
Fly Away Blackbird by Fiona Harvie (QLD)
The shortlisted authors and story titles will be announced in the lead-up to the festival, with the winner, runner-up and highly commended stories revealed on Friday, 23 October at the 2026 Headland Writers Festival opening night in Tathra, NSW. Winners will receive prizes up to $1,500 plus publication.
With the continued support of the Masters family, the 2026 Olga Masters Short Story Award is proudly presented by South East Arts and delivered in partnership with South Coast Writers Centre and Headland Writers Festival.
Keep an eye on South East Arts socials for more details to come. To see photos from past years awards, or to read previous winners and runners up go to https://www.olgamastersshortstoryaward.com/
