Olivia De Zilva wins Readings New Australian Fiction Prize for Plastic Budgie

The novel, the first new book signed by small press Pink Shorts Press, was praised by the judges for its clarity of vision.

Olivia De Zilva has won the Readings New Australian Fiction Prize for her novel Plastic Budgie, published by Pink Shorts Press, the publisher announced on 27 October 2026.

Pink Shorts Press said Plastic Budgie was the first new book it signed. Chair of judges Gene Pinter said De Zilva showed a "clarity of vision you rarely find in someone at the beginning of their career". He also compared her quiet confidence, and the way she plays with her own mythology, to Helen Garner.

The publisher said competition for the prize was strong, and that half of the shortlisted writers were South Australians.

De Zilva is also the author of the poetry collection Sick Note. She has been shortlisted for the Frank Ford Young Achiever award at the Create SA Ruby Awards, is a co-curator of the upcoming Context Writers Festival, and has a new piece in Griffith Review.

She will appear in conversation with Pauline Hopkins in Carlton on 14 November as part of A Day in Carlton. Signed copies of Plastic Budgie are available from Readings.