Newcastle Herald Short Story Competition Winners Announced for 2026
The Newcastle Herald has unveiled the winners of its highly anticipated 2026 Short Story Competition, with a suite of compelling narratives that delve into the depths of human emotion and contemporary anxieties. The competition, which attracts writers from across the region, celebrated stories that masterfully explored the unspoken, the silent, and the secret languages that bind us together.
Karen Whitelaw Wins with a Vision of a Troubled Future
Newcastle writer Karen Whitelaw has secured her second short story prize this year, following her previous success in 2020. Her winning entry, titled Semaphor, is a moving and quietly devastating tale set in a not-too-distant future. The story draws inspiration from a striking photograph by Herald photographer Marina Neil, which captured the Stockton ferry on a harbour crossing at sunset from the graffitied interior of the former Queen's Wharf Tower auxiliary building.
Whitelaw's narrative imagines a world grappling with knotty existential problems, many of which are revealed to be either past events or current realities. "There are a lot of things that we think about when we think about the future," she remarked. "We think 'this' is what it will be like, but in fact, those things are happening now." Her story touches on pressing issues such as climate change anxiety, refugee crises, and other wicked problems that permeate the news cycle yet stubbornly resist easy solutions.
Reflecting on the disconnect between science fiction and real-world science, Whitelaw pondered, "We're still the same people that we were when we read science fiction in our teens, thinking that there was going to be this amazing technological world - and maybe, it is - but maybe we're just back to thinking about how we grow basic food and surviving." She emphasised that for many, immediate survival concerns outweigh technological advancements, noting, "Think about people who may be living in a refugee camp - they're not worried about AI, they're worrying where their next meal will come from and how they are going to feed their children."
Jacob Moore Draws from the Past in Bittersweet Tale
In the popular category, winner Jacob Moore crafted a bittersweet and lyrical portrayal of a young, expectant mother navigating a turbulent life. His story revolves around a letter discovered from another mother who had lost her child, allowing the protagonist to come to terms with her own impending motherhood. Moore, who admitted it had been a long time since he had put pen to paper, aimed to create a narrative that resonated deeply and plumbed the depths of unspeakable emotions.
He drew inspiration from Jonathan Carroll's image of a car driving beneath a rainbow, which set the tone for his entry. To add authenticity to the letter that closes his piece, Moore read nearly a dozen real letters from mothers who had experienced the loss of a child. "I was taken aback just from reading them," he shared. "I cried. I read all of them." This emotional research infused his story with a raw, heartfelt quality that captivated the judges.
Ned Stephenson Explores Unspoken Connections
Ned Stephenson, another past winner who took out the popular category in 2023, received high commendation from the judges for his entry. His story was inspired by the same photograph that influenced Whitelaw's work, as well as his time spent on placement with Mission Australia after finishing school. Stephenson saw in the chaotic layers of graffiti a narrative of a narrator reaching out to someone they were missing, finding fragments of that person in the art left behind.
"I love this competition, I really do," Stephenson expressed. "It's a real buzz, and any of these competitions really mean a lot to the people who enter." His tale, like those of his fellow winners, masterfully tapped into the unspoken connections that define human relationships, adding to the competition's rich tapestry of emotional exploration.
Prizes and Recognition for the Winners
The Newcastle Herald Short Story Competition not only celebrates literary talent but also rewards the winners with significant prizes. Karen Whitelaw has been awarded a $200 voucher at Hamilton's MacLean's Booksellers, a $100 Harvey Norman voucher, and a VIP double pass to the opening night of the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. Ned Stephenson, as the judge's highly commended storyteller, will receive a $100 MacLean's voucher, a $100 Harvey Norman voucher, and a similar VIP pass. Jacob Moore, the popular category winner, receives a $50 MacLean's voucher, a $100 Harvey Norman voucher, and a VIP double pass to the festival's opening night.
These awards underscore the Herald's commitment to fostering creative writing in the Newcastle community, providing both recognition and tangible support for local authors. The competition continues to be a highlight in the region's cultural calendar, inspiring writers to share their unique voices and stories with a wider audience.
