Award winning
Festival awards
Awards are open to festival participants only, judged on the work itself. Entry is included in participation — there is no separate award fee.
Book of the Festival
The single title the judging panel most wants readers to pick up.
Debut of the Year
A first published book of any length or genre.
Poetry Prize
A single collection or pamphlet published within the festival year.
Storyteller Award
For short fiction and short story collections.
Reader's Choice
Decided entirely by public vote among festival participants.
Arts & Illustration
Cover art, illustration and visual work supporting a literary title.
How judging works
Craft
Command of language, structure and pacing.
Originality
A voice or premise that does something we have not read before.
Impact
The effect the book leaves once it is finished.
Shortlists are published on this page ahead of the closing ceremony, where winners are announced live. Winners receive a digital certificate, an award badge for their book page and a dedicated spotlight feature.
Enter by joining the festival →