EWF is proud to announce Bridie Noonan’s The Inbetween as the winner of the 2026 Speculate Prize for Emerging Writers, presented in partnership with RMIT University.
The Speculate Prize for Emerging Writers is a developmental prize open to Australian emerging writers studying at VE or university who are keen to share short work that speaks to the otherness, complexity and expansiveness of ‘speculation’ through literature in either content, genre or form.
‘It is with immense pride that the judges congratulate Bridie Noonan on their winning entry ‘The Inbetween’. Judging this award is both an honour and an exciting glimpse into the creative energy of emerging writers from around Australia – writers who celebrate curiosity and explore curiously, write boldly, create experimentally, and embrace the possibilities of both genre and form. ‘The Inbetween’ was a unanimous standout for the judges; a clearly-realised and confident dive into an ‘other’ world that lingers with the reader.
-Judging panel of 2026 Speculate Prize on the winning and commended pieces.
We are thrilled to be able to award Noonan a week-long writing residency at RMIT’s McCraith House on the Mornington Peninsula, as well as provide access to this year’s National Writers’ Conference in September to further develop their work and writing career.
Congratulations also to Alina Ivanova for their piece ‘The Woodpecker’ which is highly commended. Well done to all listees and sincere thanks to our student readers and Bowen Street Press team, who wrangled all the entries and administrative duties. As we all know, to win a prize like this is simply the beginning.‘
As the winner of the Speculate Prize for Emerging Writers, Bridie Noonan receives $1,500 prize money inclusive of $250 stipend towards a week-long writing residency at the RMIT McCraith House on the Mornington Peninsula, a free full pass to the 2026 National Writers’ Conference run by Emerging Writers’ Festival, and more.
‘I am incredibly grateful and delighted to have my story ‘The Inbetween’ be the recipient of this year’s Speculate Prize. The story is very close to my heart and I am so glad that it has resonated strongly with others. The Emerging Writers’ Festival does such important work fostering local and national writing communities, providing opportunities to talented writers across Australia, and it is a real honour to have been recognised by them, in this way.
-Bridie Noonan on winning the 2026 Speculate Prize for Emerging Writers
I am currently developing this story into a full length play, premiering in September at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, and the prize money will provide amazing and much needed funding for the production! On top of this, I’m beyond excited for the McCraith House residency, which will grant me the gift of time and space to work, a luxury rarely afforded to emerging writers or artists. I can’t wait to spend a beautiful week away on the Peninsula working on my next project. I feel incredibly lucky.
My sincerest and warmest thanks to everyone involved in the competition, to RMIT University and the Emerging Writers’ Festival as a whole!‘
Read Bridie Noonan’s winning piece, The Inbetween, below:
Congratulations also to Alina Ivanova on their highly-commended piece, The Woodpecker. As well as the shortlisted pieces by Isaac Hogarth and Gigi Bone.
A massive congratulations to Bridie Noonan on winning the Speculate Prize, and the highly-commended and shortlisted pieces. Huge congratulations, as well, to all those who submitted and were listed for this year’s Prize, presented in partnership with RMIT University and RMIT Regen Futures.
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