Storylines Announces Manuscript Shortlists
Storylines are thrilled to announce their shortlisted writers for the 2026 Manuscript Awards, celebrating talent, imagination and storytelling excellence.
The winners will be announced at the Storylines Margaret Mahy National Awards Day later in March. The shortlistees are:
Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award for a children’s novel manuscript, in association with Scholastic New Zealand.
Timothy Bowden, Lower Hutt
Heather McQuillan, Christchurch
Philippa Werry, Wellington
Kelly Buchanan-Jones, Auckland
Storylines Tessa Duder Award for a young adult novel manuscript, in association with Allen & Unwin NZ.
Megan Welch, Auckland
Amy Martin, Ōhaupo
Sarah Pratt, Christchurch
Storylines Joy Cowley Award for a picture book text, in association with Scholastic New Zealand.
Katie Vincent, Auckland
Sandi Harrison, Christchurch
Barbara Uini, Auckland
Annabel Wilson and Regan Kupu Stokes, Swannanoa
Other awards which will be presented on the day included Storylines Te Kahurangi Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira Award for a work originally written in te reo Māori, in association with Huia Publishers and the Storylines Janice Marriott Mentoring Award for six months mentoring by Janice Marriott, the Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a much-loved book, the Friends of Storylines Unpublished Writer awards and Storylines 2025 Notable Book Award recipients will also be presented with their certificates. Book your ticket now!