A new chapter has begun for 10 NSW writers, illustrators and playwrights, each awarded a $50,000 Stories Matter NSW Literary Fellowship to help bring their stories from the page to publication and performance, becoming the inaugural recipients of NSW’s new major literature fellowship program delivered by Writing NSW in partnership with Create NSW.
This innovative industry-led fellowship model, backed by Create NSW’s $500,000 investment, responds to one of the most critical issues facing the State’s storytelling creatives: securing the up-front financial means and support to research, create and produce significant work.
“Congratulations to our 10 inaugural Stories Matter NSW Literary Fellows. This valuable fellowship program will play a leading role in telling many diverse, important stories about who we are as a state,” said Create NSW Executive Director, Kerri Glasscock.
“NSW authors, playwrights and illustrators are the engine room of the State’s literary ecosystem and major contributors to the Australia’s cultural, social and economic vibrancy. Yet, this value is often not reflected in the income or support they receive, leaving talented writers unable to sustain their practice.”
“In its first year, this fellowship received an incredible response from NSW’s literature community. It’s clear this fellowship model and the broader initiatives delivered through our Stories Matter: Literature Strategy for NSW are vital for the long-term future of NSW storytelling.”
The 10 fellows reflect diverse voices and practices, across different career stages. Four fellowships were awarded to emerging practitioners, three to mid-career and three to established, across writing, illustration and playwriting disciplines.
Each fellow receives $50,000 and tailored industry support to develop a significant new work over the twelve-month fellowship period, which concludes with a public showcase event.
The inaugural Stories Matter NSW Literary Fellows are:
Emerging:
- Sarah Carroll, Playwright, Western Sydney – Project: Mendi Place
- Alisha Brown, Writer, Sydney Metro – Project: Songs for Living Bodies
- Erica J Brennan, Playwright, Sydney Metro – Project: WOLLEMI
- Ellen O’Brien, Writer, Western Sydney – Project: Daily Practice
Mid-career:
- Dr Dylin Hardcastle, Writer, Regional NSW – Project: Ophelia
- Nisaluk Chantanakom, Illustrator, Western Sydney – Project: Ghost Whale
- Jazz Money, Writer, Sydney Metro Project: The Braiding
Established:
- Omar Sakr, Writer, Western Sydney – Project: Human Animals
- Mick Elliott, Illustrator, Western Sydney – Project: HYPO – A GRAPHIC MEMOIR
- Alana Valentine, Playwright, Regional NSW – Project: Together in Song
The 10 fellows were selected from an exceptional pool of over 330 applications received from across the state, reflecting the talent and diversity of NSW’s literary, playwright and illustrator community.
Alongside $50,000 in funding, each fellow receives tailored industry support, which includes individual consultation with an industry professional matched to their project goals, during their fellowship from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027. Emerging fellows also receive 10 hours of structured mentorship and a $1,000 professional development allocation.
This new fellowship program, which was designed and delivered by Writing NSW in partnership with Create NSW, realises a key commitment in the NSW Government’s Stories Matter: A Writing and Literature Strategy for NSW. It follows the delivery of other innovative strategy commitments including the Creative Journalism Fellowship program and the establishment of The Rocks Creative Terraces Affordable Residency Program.
“For most writers, illustrators and playwrights, the barrier to creating new work isn’t ambition or a lack of ideas. It’s time, and the financial security to use it. These 10 fellows now have the time and the security to make the work they’ve been dreaming about, and the industry support to take it further,” said Writing NSW CEO Sophie Groom.
For more information about the Stories Matter NSW Literary Fellowships and other dedicated NSW literature initiatives, visit: www.create.nsw.gov.au for details.
Images: (top: l – r) Sarah Carroll – photo by Liliana De La Rosa, Erica Brennan – photo by Mansoor Noor, Alisha Brown (supplied), Ellen OBrien (supplied), Nisaluk Chantanakom (supplied) | (bottom: l – r) Dylin Hardcastle – photo by Rosa Spring Voss, Jazz Money – photo by Jeremy Weihrauch, Mick Elliott (supplied), Alana Valentine – photo by Claire Frances, Omar Sakr – photo by Joy M Lai