The Commonwealth Foundation has named the five regional winners for the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Selected from 7,806 entries, the second-highest turn-out in the competition’s history, the winners represent the premier contemporary short fiction from across the Commonwealth’s diverse territories.
South African writer Lisa-Anne Julien took the Africa regional prize for “Me and Ma’am,” a narrative exploring the intricate dynamics between a domestic worker and her employer. In the Asia category, India’s Sharon Aruparayil won for “Mehendi Nights,” a speculative tale set in Mumbai.
The Canada and Europe region saw a historic win for Malta, with John Edward DeMicoli’s “The Bastion’s Shadow” marking the first time a Maltese writer has claimed the title. Jamir Nazir of Trinidad and Tobago secured the Caribbean prize for “The Serpent in the Grove,” while New Zealand’s Holly Ann Miller won the Pacific category with “Second Skin”.
All five regional victors are first-time shortlisted entrants. Their stories address universal themes including family tension, resistance and the resilience of unheard voices.
Louise Doughty, chair of the judges, noted that the winning authors demonstrated immense confidence and an ability to create utterly believable worlds.
Each regional winner now advances to the final stage of the competition. The overall winner will be revealed during an online award ceremony scheduled for June 30. The winning stories are currently available to read via the literary magazine Granta.
Prospective entrants for the next cycle should note that the 2027 prize is scheduled to open for submissions on September 1.
