Entry requirements

General eligibility

The Aurealis Awards are for published works of original Australian speculative fiction. Works first published (and/or scheduled for publication) between 1 January 2026 and 30 November 2026 are eligible for the current Awards.

Note that the following Aurealis Awards eligibility period will be for works first published between 1 December 2026 – 30 November 2027 (with winners presented in February 2028) and follow this pattern in future.

Requirements

• Entrants should submit their own original work and hold all relevant rights to submit.

• Entrants should be Australian or New Zealand citizens or reside in Australia or New Zealand.

• Entrants under 18 years are eligible but need permission from a guardian (contact QWC).

• Traditionally published, independently published and self-published works (including works published on online platforms), whether available via purchase or freely available, are eligible. Unpublished work is not eligible.

• Multiple entries are permitted. Please note category-specific entry requirements if submitting works in multiple categories.

• Entries may be made by agents or authors’ representatives on behalf of and with the written consent of the entrant. Co-authored works are eligible – one nominated author or editor should submit on behalf of the authors.

• Where there is Indigenous content or participation in the work, writers are required to comply with Creative Australia’s Protocols for using First Nations Intellectual and Cultural Property (ICIP).

Entries are accepted via the online Entry Form. By making an entry, entrants acknowledge to have read and understood these Guidelines.

For assistance with the entry process, including where QWC can support entrants with access requirements, please contact QWC at admin@qldwriters.org.au or call (07) 3842 9922.

Categories, Fees & Charges

Entries are accepted across fifteen (15) categories of the Aurealis Awards. Fees payable per entry. Belongingdiscount available for Queensland Writers Centre members and GenreCon 2027 ticketholders on up to three entries.

Fees contribute toward Judges’ honorariums, prizes (trophies) and Awards administration expenses. (QWC is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.)

• Best science fiction short story

  • Belonging Discount: First 3 free / Standard Entry: 5

• Best science fiction novella

  • Belonging Discount: 15 / Standard Entry: 20

• Best science fiction novel

  • Belonging Discount: 23 / Standard Entry: 30

• Best fantasy short story

  • Belonging Discount: First 3 free / Standard Entry: 5

• Best fantasy novella

  • Belonging Discount: 15 / Standard Entry: 20

• Best fantasy novel

  • Belonging Discount: 23 / Standard Entry: 30

• Best horror short story

  • Belonging Discount: First 3 free / Standard Entry: 5

• Best horror novella

  • Belonging Discount: 15 / Standard Entry: 20

• Best horror novel

  • Belonging Discount: 23 / Standard Entry: 30

• Best young adult short story

  • Belonging Discount: First 3 free / Standard Entry: 5

• Best young adult novel

  • Belonging Discount: 23 / Standard Entry: 30

• Best children's fiction

  • Belonging Discount: 15 / Standard Entry: 20

• Best collection

  • Belonging Discount: 15 / Standard Entry: 20

• Best anthology

  • Belonging Discount: 15 / Standard Entry: 20

• Best graphic novel/illustrated book

  • Belonging Discount: 15 / Standard Entry: 20

Works should generally be submitted in the category that best matches the publisher and/or distributor’s category or genre designation, or if self-published, the sale category.

Subsidies via the Fellowship and Access Fund may be available to support entries made by QWC members from diverse backgrounds and/or disadvantaged situations – contact the Centre for more information.

Refunds are not available for ineligible entries and/or entries withdrawn outside of the entry period.

Note that entering the same work in more than one category is permitted where appropriate but requires a separate entry per category. Works may be shortlisted in multiple categories but can be named as Winner in only one.

Category-specific eligibility

• Short story categories

  • Enter works up to 7,500 words

  • Short stories may have been published as part of an anthology, collection, or individually (including print and online)

• Novella categories

  • Enter works between 7,500–40,000 words

• Novel categories

  • Enter works over 40,000 words (except YA – see below)

• Young Adult categories

  • Enter work aimed at readers between 12–18

  • Young Adult Short story category

    • Enter works up to 7,500 words

  • Young Adult Novel category

    • Enter works over 10,000 words

• Children's fiction category

  • Enter work aimed at readers aged 12 and under

• Best collection category

  • Enter collections comprising of at least three (3) works (short stories and/or poems) by a single author

• Best anthology category

  • For anthologies comprising of at least three (3) works by multiple authors, where at least 30% of authors meet the General eligibility criteria

  • Individual issues of magazines and journals may be eligible where they meet the above criteria

  • Anthologies should be nominated by the editor where possible

• Best graphic novel/illustrated book

  • Enter works containing both written content and illustration/artwork, where the visual content contributes significantly to the storytelling

  • Either the author or illustrator (or both) should meet the General eligibility criteria.

Key Dates

• Eligibility period – works published between: Thurs 1 Jan – Mon 30 Nov 2026 (inclusive)

• Entries open: Mon 29 Jun 2026

• Entries close: Tues 10 Nov 2026

• Shortlist announced: Jan 2027

• Awards Ceremony: Sat 20 Feb 2027 (at GenreCon, Brisbane)

Entrants will be personally notified of the outcome of their entry. Shortlisted entrants will be publicly announced in the Pen & Pixel email newsletter and online. Winners will be announced at GenreCon in Brisbane in February 2027 and publicly announced shortly thereafter.

What to submit

The Aurealis Awards accept submissions in electronic format. Submit the complete manuscript alongside author and publication details as requested in the online Entry Form.

Accepted file formats:

• Word (.docx)

• PDF

• EPUB.

To discuss options for making a hardcopy submission please contact QWC.

To submit in EPUB format please complete the Entry Form then forward your file to aurealis@qldwriters.org.au.

Works are accepted in publishers’ formatting/typesetting if available, otherwise as per standard formatting (12pt Times New Roman, double line spacing, 1” margins on an A4 page, page numbered).

Process

Entries are subject to a rigorous assessment process which includes review by QWC team members and trained Readers. A minimum of two experienced guest Judges are appointed per category, selected by QWC following an application process.

Judging criteria may include but is not limited to:

• Literary merit

• Creativity and originality

• Contribution to the genre.

In collaboration with Judges, up to five (5) shortlisted entrants and one (1) winner per category will be selected at QWC’s discretion.

Judges’ and Readers’ feedback cannot be provided to unsuccessful Entrants; no correspondence may be entered into, including with Readers or Judges.

Winners are invited to attend the Aurealis Awards presentation and accept their Award, the Ceremony is held as part of GenreCon in Brisbane, February 2027 and is available to the public and GenreCon ticketholders.

Judges are ineligible to enter the Awards in any category for which they are nominated as a Judge (but may be eligible to enter in other categories). This includes edited work.

Additional terms

The Aurealis Awards are licensed by Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) from Chimaera Publications and independently administered by QWC.

Entrants and representatives entering works on behalf of entrants will be added to Queensland Writers Centre's Pen & Pixel email newsletter (from which you can unsubscribe at any time) for ongoing Awards program and entry updates.

The awarding of a Winner and/or Shortlist (and number of shortlisted works) is at QWC’s discretion, and may depend on the quality and number of submissions received.

Readers and Judges are not required to read the complete manuscript submitted.

QWC reserves no rights over work submitted to the Awards and does not take a percentage of any future royalties, option or sale of submitted work. All rights and intellectual property remain with the original authors and are protected under copyright.

Submission materials (manuscripts and other creative IP) will be stored securely by QWC and disposed of per standard protocols. QWC may record and keep other information, including contact details, provided on the entry form as necessary. Judges are permitted to keep one (1) digital copy of submitted works but this may be withdrawn at any time upon written request.

Shortlisted authors and Winners are encouraged to promote and support the Awards program, QWC and GenreCon, and may be asked to provide a testimonial.