Winners Announced | 2026 Northern Territory Writing Awards

Photograph of 10 finalists holding certificates in frames standing in front of banners.

Library & Archives NT would like to congratulate all winners and finalists from the 2026 Northern Territory Writing Awards!

Held last night at Danala in Darwin and Witchetty's in Alice Springs, the awards ceremony was an inspiring celebration of the Territory's rich literary talent, showcasing works that explored personal stories, history, culture, place and imagination.

It is our pleasure to share this year's winners.

Northern Territory Literary Awards

Brown’s Mart Theatre
Lure – Ryanna Clayton

Charles Darwin University Creative Non-Fiction Award
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Park – Roland Bull

Charles Darwin University Essay Award
The love story of Mary ‘Gladys’ Namagu and Michael ‘Mick’ Daly – Dr Dean David Mobbs

Flash Fiction Award
The lamentations of whales – Eric Daams

Kath Manzie Youth Award 
The tale of Mr Gibbs – Halle Wamara

NT Writers’ Centre Poetry Award
Guria in me – Emma Trenorden

Zip Print Short Story Award
The things we measure – Rosie Wild

A free publication of the works of winners and finalists is available now at Library & Archives NT in Danala, and will soon be available online via Territory Stories.

Northern Territory History Book Award

Winner
Clever Men – Martin Thomas

Highly Commended
Sex and Savagery in the Good Colony – Julie Marcus

Clever Men is available for loan from the Adult Lending Collection at our Danala site.

Northern Territory Book Awards

Best Non-Fiction
High Fire Danger – Emma Trenorden

Best Children's or Young Adult
Raymaŋgirrbuy dhäwu When I was a little girl – Kylie Gatjawarrawuy Mununggurr

Best Fiction
A Piece of Red Cloth – Leonie Norrington, Djawundil Maymuru, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs and Djawa Burarrwanga

High Fire Danger is available for loan from the Adult Lending Collection at our Danala site.
Raymaŋgirrbuy dhäwu When I was a little girl is available for loan from the Children's Lending Collection at our Danala site.
A Piece of Red Cloth is available for loan from the Adult Lending Collection at our Danala site.

Image (L-R): Ryanna Clayton, Sophie Benkemoun, Roland Bull, Leonie Norrington, Kylie Gatjawarrawuy Mununggurr, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, Vamshika Bakshi, Julie Marcus, Eric Daams, Kathie Rea.