The Furphy Literary Award 2026 opened on Feb 1.
I strongly encourage all Almanac writers to consider sending a story in. Give it a go.
Last year, two Almanac contributors made the short list: Emma Westwood and Dips O’Donnell.
Entries close on April 30, 2026.
Cheers,
JTH
The submission window for the 2026 Furphy Literary Award opened on Feb 1.
To find out more about the Award and how to enter visit The Furphy Literary Award website.
The Furphy Literary Award encourages Australian writers, whether old hands or emerging, everywhere to ‘have a go’ and prepare their short story this year’s competition. The submission period ends on April 30.
The FLA judging panel consists of Anson Cameron, John Harms, Margaret Hickey, Stephanie Holt, Cate Kennedy and Thornton McCamish.
The Furphy Literary Award offers the winner a first prize of $15,000, residency at La Trobe University and pride of place in The Furphy Anthology 2026. The Anthology is a gorgeous hardback collection of the top sixteen stories of the year.
The Furphy Anthology 2025
The Furphy Literary Award is named in honour of Australian writer Joseph Furphy, who wrote the classic Such is Life in 1903 under the pen name Tom Collins. In World War 1 Australian soldiers congregated at the back of Furphy water carts, manufactured by Joseph’s brother John, to trade speculative and wild rumours and stories, which became known as ‘furphies’. Jointly honouring the author of Such is Life, and ‘the furphy’ that was born from water cart tales, the Furphy Literary Award promotes and extends the tradition of storytelling embedded in Australian life.
The open competition runs from 1 February – 30 April 2024. Following the judging, a shortlist will be announced on June 30, and a gala winners award ceremony will be held in late July in Shepparton.
Theme: Australian life in all its diversity
Maximum Length: 5000 words
Entry Deadline: April 30, 2025
First Prize: $15,000, a La Trobe University Residency and publication in The Furphy Anthology 2025.
Second Prize: $3,000 plus publication in the The Furphy Anthology 2025
Third Prize: $2,000 plus publication in the The Furphy Anthology 2025
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT John Harms – SMS to 0417 635030 or email: [email protected]
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