Four young South Australian writers have been recognised in the inaugural Carclew Young Writers Awards, announced at the 2026 South Australian Literary Awards on Thursday 5 November.
The new awards celebrate emerging talent across two age categories, shining a spotlight on the next generation of storytellers.
Ages 8 to 12 winners
In the younger category, Benjamin B was recognised for Mad About Elements by Gold AU, while Eusoph J took out an award for The Ngaltiga Chronicles: Frostfall. Each winner in this category receives $500.
Ages 13 to 17 winners
In the teen category, Katharina G was recognised for Achilles, Come Down and Lourdes C for Like Ribbons in Your Hair. Winners in this category each receive $750.
State Library of South Australia Director Megan Berghuis paid tribute to the young writers.
“For the first time, we’ve celebrated some of our youngest storytellers. Their imagination and courage on the page give us so much to look forward to,” she said.
“Stories shape who we are, and the State Library is so proud to celebrate and champion the wonderfully diverse voices and creative minds that make our literary community so vibrant.”
About the SA Literary Awards
The biennial awards were presented by the State Library of South Australia, with winners announced across 6 national published awards and 10 South Australian awards and fellowships.
This year’s awards introduced two new Carclew initiatives: the Young Writers Awards and the Carclew Max Fatchen Fellowship, which was awarded to Kate Strutton for Honeycrisp.
The 2026 South Australian Literary Awards received 766 entries from across Australia, with $185,000 in prizes awarded across all categories.
Other winners on the night included South Australian author Sharon Kernot, who took out the Young Adult Award for Birdy, and Peter Carnavas, who won the Children’s Literature Award for Leo and Ralph.
The Premier’s Award, the night’s top honour, went to poet Eileen Chong for We Speak of Flowers, a meditative exploration of grief that also won the John Bray Poetry Award.
The South Australian Literary Awards are supported by the Government of South Australia through CreateSA, with partners including Writers SA, Wakefield Press, Carclew, State Theatre South Australia and the Friends of the State Library of South Australia.
For more information, visit saliteraryawards.com.au.
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