Ang wins Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize

Overland has announced Rachel Ang as the winner of the 2024 Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize for their story ‘Thalassophobia’.

Ang’s story, chosen from a shortlist of ten, will be published in the next print edition of Overland. As the winner, Ang will receive $5000.

Ang is an artist and writer whose comics and writing have been published in the New Yorker, Meanjin and Island. Their new book, a graphic short story collection titled I Ate the Whole World to Find You, is newly released from Scribe (ANZ) and Drawn & Quarterly (global).

‘“Thalassophobia” is a story I wrote while in transit between different species of spaces and life stages, while thinking about my child, our uncertain future, labour, and care,’ Ang said of their winning story.

Judges André Dao and Jennifer Down also selected two runners-up: Jo Langdon for ‘Off’ and Aneeta Sundararaj for ‘Harvard Estate Is’. Langdon and Sundararaj will each receive $750, and their winning stories will be published online by Overland.

Overland also announced Alessandra Panizza as a highly commended entrant, for her story ‘A Gimmick’, which will also be published online.

Established in 2007, the prize seeks ‘moving, powerful and original short fiction of up to 3000 words themed loosely around the notion of “travel”.’ This year, Overland received over 500 entries for the prize.

Last year’s winner was Annie Zhang for her story ‘Who Rattles the Night?’.

More information about the prize is available on the Overland website.

Category: Awards Local news