Calling Western Australian Writers: It’s time to enter the prestigious Hungerford Award
The Hungerford Award is celebrating 35 years of unearthing Western Australian stories and championing new literary voices. Sponsors Fremantle Press, City of Fremantle and Centre for Stories are looking for the next great storyteller seeking a big break – with $15,000 cash, a publishing contract, and a writing fellowship up for grabs.
The biennial Hungerford Award is for an unpublished work of adult fiction, young adult fiction, narrative non-fiction, or verse novel, by a debut Western Australian writer.
Fremantle Press CEO Alex Allan said the Hungerford Award was Western Australia’s most significant pathway for emerging writers, and the only award dedicated exclusively to unpublished Western Australian writers. Alex said, ‘This award is vital – providing new writers with community, cash, and a place to continue the important work of putting words on the page. In our fiftieth year, we’re excited to share the Hungerford’s legacy of identifying and launching the careers of celebrated and award-winning writers.’
Gail Jones, Simone Lazaroo, Natasha Lester, Brenda Walker, Holden Sheppard, Molly Schmidt and Miles Franklin winner Kim Scott are all Hungerford Award alumni.
Submissions for Western Australia’s most prestigious award for close at midnight AWST on Sunday 15 March 2026. For the full terms and conditions, or to browse books by previous winners, go to the Hungerford Award page. https://fremantlepress.com.au/submissions/hungerford/
This year’s judging panel is Chemutai Glasheen, Marcella Polain and Richard Rossiter, alongside Fremantle Press Publishers Georgia Richter and Cate Sutherland.
The Hungerford Award is proudly sponsored by Fremantle Press, City of Fremantle and Centre for Stories. Winners receive a cash prize of $15,000, a publishing contract with Fremantle Press and a writing Fellowship from Centre for Stories.