‘UNTOLD’ wins at ZineWest 2026

I have had the honour of being published in ZineWest, a Western Sydney writing and art anthology, for the past three years. In 2025, my story ‘Potage/Patronage’, a playful satire that skewers art, art funding, and the art industry, won the Editors’ Award. But I was sick and unable to attend the ceremony - alas!

This year, I promised the editors Sue Crawford and the team at New Writers’ Group that I would show up at the launch of the 2026 edition, presented as part of Parramatta’s Lit!

It was a beautiful Saturday in Parramatta, and I had a great time eating cake and hanging out with the writing community. I thoroughly enjoyed the pieces being read aloud - variously cackling and nodding - and thought to myself: ‘Wow, seriously good stuff this year!’

Then it came time to announce the writing prizes, which were judged by Dr Luke Carman - who I have heard described as the Jack Kerouac of Australia. When he announced my name for first place, I actually exclaimed: ‘You’re JOKING!’

I’d never have thought that my little story, ‘Untold’, about the struggles of a working mother trying to write (auto-fiction, anyone?) - and the untold lives of the characters in her head - would win. And then - I had to read my piece aloud while shaking at the knees.

Writing winners at ZineWest 2026 from L-R: Myra A., SL Jones, Dr Luke Carman (judge), KT Major, Nelson Groom. Photo by James A.M. Crawford.

Eternally grateful to Dr Luke Carman, to Sue Crawford and the New Writers’ Group editorial team at ZineWest, who celebrate the magazine’s 20th anniversary this year. What an outstanding contribution to the Western Sydney literary community.

Celebrating ZineWest 2026 - and twenty years of ZineWest! Photo by James A.M. Crawford.

Warmest congratulations to all winners and all writers artists featured in ZineWest 2026. You can buy a copy from the New Writers’ Group website.

ZineWest 2026 is presented as part of Parramatta's Lit! supported by Creative Australia. Official photos by James A.M. Crawford, with thanks to Augusta Supple for her support.