Tintinhull writer Emily Herbert wins 2026 Fresh Ink Emerging Writer Prize

Newy 87.8 FM – Tintinhull writer Emily Herbert has been named the winner of the Newcastle Writers Festival's 2026 Fresh Ink Emerging Writer Prize.

Tintinhull is a tiny town near Tamworth in regional NSW.

Ms Herbert receives $5000 for professional development, thanks to Newcastle wine label Elephant in the Room.

She has also been awarded a week-long residency at Varuna, The National Writer's House.

Her untitled submission was an excerpt from a longer story of three generations of Australian country women: Barney, Merle and Sweetpea.

This year's judges were Sarah Armstrong and Raeden Richardson.

They said the submission struck them both immediately with the strength and confidence of the narrative voice and the authority of the writing.

The judges also pointed to the way the reader is taken swiftly into the encompassing world of the story.

The Fresh Ink Prize is open each year to emerging writers from regional NSW.

Newcastle Writers Festival has encouraged writers to follow its socials and subscribe to its newsletter to hear when the 2027 prize opens.

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