BREAKING: Submissions are NOW OPEN for the highly anticipated 2026 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards. This prestigious event, which celebrates outstanding achievements in various literary categories, is set to amplify Australia’s rich storytelling culture.
The awards, established in 1985, will this year honor the late John Marsden, a beloved teacher and author, by naming the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Writing for Young Adults in his memory. Marsden’s profound impact on Australian youth literature, through classics like Tomorrow, When the War Began and So Much to Tell You, resonates with a generation of readers and writers. His legacy continues to inspire creativity among young Australians.
This year’s 2026 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards also features multiple categories, including Fiction, Non-Fiction, Drama, Poetry, Indigenous Writing, and Children’s Literature. Each category’s winner will compete for the coveted Victorian Prize for Literature, further elevating their recognition within the literary community.
Additionally, the awards serve as a vital springboard for emerging authors through the Award for an Unpublished Manuscript. Previous winners, such as Graeme Simsion and Jane Harper, have gone on to achieve significant publishing success, showcasing the awards as an essential platform for new literary voices.
IMPORTANT: Submissions will be accepted until August 29, 2025. Both published authors and new works seeking the Unpublished Manuscript Prize are eligible to apply. The shortlist of nominees will be revealed in December 2025, with winners announced at a gala ceremony in February 2026.
For complete details on eligibility and submission guidelines, please visit the Wheeler Centre website. This is your chance to be part of a celebrated tradition that not only honors established authors but also nurtures the next generation of literary talent.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to showcase your work! Share this news to inspire fellow writers and ensure they don’t miss their chance to submit.
