Aurealis Awards entries for 2026 speculative fiction close 30 November

Australian speculative fiction first published between 1 January and 30 November 2026 is eligible, with shortlists due in March 2027 and winners in April.

Entries for the 2026 Aurealis Awards, which recognise Australian speculative fiction, close on 30 November. The Queensland Writers Centre (QWC), which runs the awards alongside GenreCon, opened entries on 29 June.

Eligible works must be original Australian speculative fiction first published, or due to be published, between 1 January and 30 November 2026. Traditional, independent, self-published and online works all qualify, whether paid or free, but unpublished manuscripts and AI-generated writing do not. Entrants must be Australian citizens or residents.

Categories cover short stories, novellas and novels in science fiction, fantasy, horror and young adult, along with children's fiction, collections, anthologies and graphic novels or illustrated books. The Convenors' Award for Excellence takes in non-fiction, artwork, film, TV and other related work. The Sara Douglass Book Series Award does not run this year and returns in 2027.

Fees are $15 for each novel, graphic novel, collection or anthology. Each entrant gets one free novella entry and three free short story entries, after which further entries cost $10 and $5 respectively. Entries are lodged through an online form with the full work as a PDF or EPUB.

Volunteer panels of at least three judges will pick up to five finalists and one winner in each category. Shortlists will be released in March 2027, and winners will be named at a ceremony in April 2027 at a venue yet to be confirmed.