The Spencil Writer's Prize
The Spencil Writers Prize 2026 winners have been selected!
A huge thank you to every young writer who entered this year's competition. We have been overwhelmed by the creativity, imagination and storytelling talent shared by children from across Australia. From magical adventures and heartfelt poems to thrilling mysteries and inspiring stories, every entry has been a joy to receive.
Our judging panel has now carefully reviewed the incredible entries across both competition categories:
- 8 Years and Under
- 9 to 13 Years
Selecting the winners was no easy task, with so many wonderful stories and talented young writers to choose from. We are incredibly excited to announce this year's winners and celebrate their creativity and achievements.
As part of the Spencil Writers Prize, every eligible entry will be showcased in our online gallery because every story deserves to be celebrated and shared.
Congratulations to our 2026 winners! We can't wait to share their stories and celebrate their incredible achievements with you.
Thank you once again to every young writer who entered and to everyone who helped make the 2026 Spencil Writers Prize such a wonderful celebration of young creativity.
Congratulations to our 2026 winners!
8 Years and Under
The winner received:
- A $100 Spencil Dollars voucher
- A book bundle featuring Something Terrible Tim, Tie Your Shoelaces, Frances Bloom, The Thylacine and the Time Machine, Into the Bewilderedness, The Emperor's Egg and Drop Bear
- A professionally printed hard copy of their winning short story
9 to 13 Years
The winner received:
- A $100 Spencil Dollars voucher
- A book bundle featuring Inked, Run, How to Sail to Somewhere, The Surface Trials, The Year We Escaped and The Hits and Misses of Melody Moss
- A professionally printed hard copy of their winning short story
