Writers from the Hawkesbury region in Australia are being urged to submit entries for the 2026 CRAFT Award for Excellence, hosted by the US-based literary journal CRAFT. The competition offers cash prizes and publication opportunities for unpublished prose in four categories. Submissions are open until April 12, 2026.
The 2026 CRAFT Award for Excellence invites aspiring and established writers to submit unpublished prose for international recognition. Organized by the respected US-based literary journal CRAFT, the annual competition highlights outstanding work in fiction, creative nonfiction, flash fiction, and flash creative nonfiction.
Submissions opened on February 9, 2026, and will close on April 12, 2026. Entries must be written primarily in English and previously unpublished. Long-form fiction and creative nonfiction can reach up to 5,000 words, while flash categories are limited to 1,000 words per piece.
Winners in each of the four categories will receive USD $1,000, publication in CRAFT, a commemorative plaque, and a reMarkable Paper Pro tablet. Additionally, two editor's choice selections will each get USD $500 and publication. Winners are set to be announced in August 2026, with publication following in September 2026.
For the Hawkesbury writing community—which includes students, teachers, retirees, and rural storytellers—this award provides a platform to share local stories globally. The region's rich history, dramatic landscapes, Hawkesbury River life, multigenerational farming families, and evolving town centers offer ample inspiration.
Local writers can access full guidelines and submit entries via craftliterary.com. This opportunity encourages Hawkesbury storytellers to extend their narratives beyond the local valley.