If you’ve been wondering whether there’s value in entering a writing competition, let us point you to one that really counts: the Calibre Essay Prize, run by the Australian Book Review (ABR). It invites non-fiction essays of 2,000–5,000 words, in English, on any subject – personal or political, literary or speculative, traditional or experimental. For 2026 the prize pool is AU$10,000. Yes, you read that correctly … $10,000.
What makes this prize worth your attention
Publication: Winners – and sometimes even the runners-up – see their work published in Australian Book Review, giving your writing real visibility and credibility.
Great for your resume: Having “longlisted for Calibre” or “shortlisted for Calibre” on your writer bio or CV is a wonderful credential. It’s the kind of external validation that people pay attention to.
Your writing improves: Entering a competition gives you a deadline and a clear structure. Many writers find this helps finish a piece that might otherwise stay unfinished. And it can sometimes motivate you to turn a thought bubble into a powerful piece of writing.
Win or not, you still gain: Even if you don’t win, being acknowledged or simply submitting your best work is progress. Many writers say the process itself is valuable.
Launched in 2007 by ABR, the prize has become one of the world’s most respected essay-writing awards. Since it welcomes a wide range of essay forms and subjects – not just strictly academic – it offers a real opening for diverse voices.
Deadline: 2 February 2026 at 11:59 pm AEST.
If you’ve got an essay brewing, this is the perfect moment to polish it and submit it. You have nothing to lose!
