Prizes and Awards

Celebrating Big For Verandah 40 

Each year Verandah celebrates bold storytelling by offering awards and prize to outstanding contributors. In 2025, we’re marking a major milestone.

This year marks four decades of championing emerging writers and artists- and we’re commemorating it with a big $750 cash prize alongside some other juicy awards and prizes. 

Check them out below!

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The Verandah Legacy Prize (Celebrating 40 Years of Storytelling)

To honour the legacy of Verandah’s 40th edition, we’re awarding  a special $750 (cash prize) to one standout submission published in V40. 

This prize recognises a work that captures the spirit of Verandah- bold, original, and resonant storytelling that leaves a lasting impression.

The winning piece will be selected anonymously by our editorial team after all submissions are finalised and published. 

The Unbound Prize 

This award honours a single piece that breaks boundaries, colours outside the lines, and embraces the wild, the weird, and the wonderfully unexpected.

You win a gift voucher to Writers Studio course unlocking creativity (valued at $460) and a one year Express Media subscription and Voiceworks subscription 

The winning piece will be judged by Jodi McAlister

The Verandah Literary Prize

This award is all about bold storytelling. We’re looking for one outstanding piece of fiction that captivates, challenges, and sparks imagination – something unforgettable that represents the true magic of literature.

You win an Affirm Press mentoring session with their amazing director, and a book pack for 10 Simon & Schuster titles

The winning piece will be judged by Antonia Pont

The Designers Choice Award

A tribute to the power of visual storytelling and artistic brilliance. This one’s for the creators, the dreamers, the rule-breakers. We want one unforgettable piece of art — something that captivates, challenges, and ignites imagination.

You win a $500 cash prize, a HarperCollins Australia book pack and a mentoring session with Mark Campbell (capped at 30 mins)

The winning piece will be judged by the Verandah Design team, Nate, Kurt and Brandon