Forrest wins Newcastle Short Story Award

Western Sydney writer Patrick Cruz Forrest has taken first place in the 2023 Newcastle Short Story Award for his short story ‘Kuya’.

The winners, which will be published in an anthology, are:

First prize ($3000):

• ‘Kuya’ by Patrick Cruz Forrest

Second prize ($1000):

• ‘Papamosque’ by Natalie A Vella

Third prize ($500):

• ‘Tadpole’ by Emma Bjorndahl

Highly commended ($200):

• ‘Lowanna’s Fever’ by Adam Brannigan
• ‘First Impressions’ by Jessie Lambert

Local prize (wine packs):

• ‘It Begins’ by Grace Buckley
• ‘The Calling’ by Kate O’Connor
• ‘Mojo’ by Ingrid Woodrow.

Judges Angela Meyer and Winnie Dunn said that ‘Kuya’ is ‘skilfully navigated with tight structure, clear plot, original sentences, and memorable characters’. The story ‘reveals to readers an integral and intersectional part of Australia—all with an expert touch of humour.’

Forrest has previously been shortlisted for the 2021 Penguin Literary Prize. He said of the winning story: ‘“Kuya” is about the growing pains of being a baby-gay-Filipino in Western Sydney. I am super thankful to the judges for seeing the beauty in this story and honouring it with this prize.’

The 2023 Newcastle Short Story Award anthology will be edited by Dunn, and the Hunter Writers’ Centre plans to release the title next month. More information about the prize and the anthology is available on the Hunter Writers’ Centre website.

Category: Awards