Top Tweets for #CWPRIZE

5 months ago

Congratulations, Holly Ann Miller, #CWprize winner for the New Zealand region in 2026! Based in Aotearoa’s Bay of Islands, Holly began her creative writing journey in 2025. Her story ‘Second Skin’ is a psychological exploration of family and belonging, set against the blurred boundaries of humanity and nature in the Southern Alps.

cwfcreatives's tweet photo. Congratulations, Holly Ann Miller, #CWprize winner for the New Zealand region in 2026!

Based in Aotearoa’s Bay of Islands, Holly began her creative writing journey in 2025. Her story ‘Second Skin’ is a psychological exploration of family and belonging, set against the blurred boundaries of humanity and nature in the Southern Alps.

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5 months ago

Jamir Nazir is the 2026 #CWprize winner for the Caribbean region! Congratulations Jamir! A Trinidadian writer of East Indian heritage, Jamir explores identity, memory, and the cultural intersections of the Caribbean and the Indian diaspora. His story ‘The Serpent in the Grove’ is a haunting story of poverty, betrayal and survival in rural Trinidad.

cwfcreatives's tweet photo. Jamir Nazir is the 2026 #CWprize winner for the Caribbean region! Congratulations Jamir!

A Trinidadian writer of East Indian heritage, Jamir explores identity, memory, and the cultural intersections of the Caribbean and the Indian diaspora. His story ‘The Serpent in the Grove’ is a haunting story of poverty, betrayal and survival in rural Trinidad.

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5 months ago

This year’s #CWprize winner for the Asia region is Sharon Aruparayil. Congratulations Sharon! A Gulf-raised Indian writer, Sharon is obsessed with the strange, shimmering space between the speculative and deeply personal. Her work often asks what survives when only the body is left to speak. ‘Mehendi Nights’ imagines a Mumbai-inspired world where women are forbidden language.

cwfcreatives's tweet photo. This year’s #CWprize winner for the Asia region is Sharon Aruparayil. Congratulations Sharon!

A Gulf-raised Indian writer, Sharon is obsessed with the strange, shimmering space between the speculative and deeply personal. Her work often asks what survives when only the body is left to speak. ‘Mehendi Nights’ imagines a Mumbai-inspired world where women are forbidden language.

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Tracy Fells @theliterarypig

5 months ago

Congratulations, Lisa-Anne Julien, 2026 #CWprize winner for the Africa region! Originally from Trinidad and Tobago and now living in Johannesburg, Lisa-Anne’s story ‘Me and Ma’am’ explores the tangled relationship between a domestic worker and her employer over the course of a single day.

cwfcreatives's tweet photo. Congratulations, Lisa-Anne Julien, 2026 #CWprize winner for the Africa region!

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago and now living in Johannesburg, Lisa-Anne’s story ‘Me and Ma’am’ explores the tangled relationship between a domestic worker and her employer over the course of a single day.

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5 months ago

Congratulations to all the regional winners of the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. #CWPrize. @cwfcreatives #WritingCommunity #shortstory

Terry Finisterre @terryfinisterre

5 months ago

We are delighted to announce the regional winners of the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Please join us in congratulating our winners, who were chosen from 7,806 entries: Lisa-Anne Julien (South Africa, Africa region) Sharon Aruparayil (India, Asia region) John Edward DeMicoli (Malta, Canada and Europe region) Jamir Nazir (Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean region) Holly Ann Miller (New Zealand, Pacific region) Chair of the Judges Louise Doughty praised the winners for their ‘immense confidence of tone’, adding that each writer leads readers into ‘a world where the characters are utterly believable, the prose assured, and the author has something important to say.’ One of the regional winners will now go on to be named the overall winner of the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize on 30 June. Read more about the writers and their stories below. https://t.co/opgPF77WSx

cwfcreatives's tweet photo. We are delighted to announce the regional winners of the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize.

Please join us in congratulating our winners, who were chosen from 7,806 entries:

Lisa-Anne Julien (South Africa, Africa region)
Sharon Aruparayil (India, Asia region)
John Edward DeMicoli (Malta, Canada and Europe region)
Jamir Nazir (Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean region)
Holly Ann Miller (New Zealand, Pacific region)

Chair of the Judges Louise Doughty praised the winners for their ‘immense confidence of tone’, adding that each writer leads readers into ‘a world where the characters are utterly believable, the prose assured, and the author has something important to say.’

One of the regional winners will now go on to be named the overall winner of the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize on 30 June.

Read more about the writers and their stories below.
https://t.co/opgPF77WSx

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5 months ago

Also check out the work of two of my fellow Saint Lucians, @758sunshine and @Ororo_Munroee, both longlisted for the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. #CWPrize https://t.co/LNllJlx2xH https://t.co/sRHwDSpjlU

St. Lucia Times @stluciatimes

5 months ago

Lionel’s ‘A Soft Place’ on Commonwealth Short Story Prize longlist https://t.co/uD0d6Tw5NE

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5 months ago

Being shortlisted for the #CWprize is a major achievement—so returning to the shortlist is no small feat. That makes it all the more exciting to see familiar names return to this year’s #CWPrize shortlist… Ola W. Halim @OlaposiH (Nigeria) – shortlisted in 2021 Cosmata Lindie @Cosmata1 (Guyana) – shortlisted in 2023 Celeste Mohammed (Trinidad and Tobago) – shortlisted in 2024 Congratulations to all three on being shortlisted again. Have you read their previous stories—and what are you expecting from them this year?

cwfcreatives's tweet photo. Being shortlisted for the #CWprize is a major achievement—so returning to the shortlist is no small feat.

That makes it all the more exciting to see familiar names return to this year’s #CWPrize shortlist…

Ola W. Halim @OlaposiH (Nigeria) – shortlisted in 2021

Cosmata Lindie @Cosmata1 (Guyana) – shortlisted in 2023

Celeste Mohammed (Trinidad and Tobago) – shortlisted in 2024

Congratulations to all three on being shortlisted again. Have you read their previous stories—and what are you expecting from them this year?

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Tracy Fells @theliterarypig

6 months ago

I was featured on today's @StandardKenya newspaper after making it to the #CWprize 2026 shortlist. Thank you @AnjellahOwino and @TNXAfrica @cwfcreatives @commonwealthorg @RKbookpublicist https://t.co/IlU6HnVZqp

oddacken's tweet photo. I was featured on today's @StandardKenya newspaper after making it to the #CWprize 2026 shortlist. Thank you @AnjellahOwino and @TNXAfrica @cwfcreatives @commonwealthorg @RKbookpublicist
https://t.co/IlU6HnVZqp https://t.co/NLuFsMELta

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6 months ago

Congratulations to all 3 shortlisted writers from the Canada & Europe region of 2026 #CWPrize. I'm pretty chuffed to recognise 2 of these stories from my batch of 2nd round reading - always great to see stories that gave me goosebumps also wowed the judges! 🐷❤️📚@cwfcreatives

6 months ago

There are three writers from the Canada and Europe region on the 2026 #CWprize shortlist, including two authors from the United Kingdom and the first-ever shortlisted writer from Malta. John Edward DeMicoli makes history as Malta’s debut writer on the shortlist with ‘The Bastion’s Shadow’. Set in Valletta, his story follows an NGO worker and explores themes of migration and memory. A writer and genealogist, John Edward’s work often examines the intersections of history, identity and belonging. ‘Saudade’, by UK writer Alison Armstrong (@alison_1513), centres on an older sister reflecting on her childhood. Alison was a 2024 fellow of Fondation Jan Michalski, and her work has previously been supported by the Royal Society of Literature (RSL). Jennifer Harvey’s short story ‘Chiddingfold’ follows a woman contemplating life, marriage and what it means to call a place home. Jennifer is the author of three novels, and her short fiction has appeared in a range of literary magazines and anthologies. Which of these stories are you most looking forward to reading? https://t.co/opgPF77WSx

cwfcreatives's tweet photo. There are three writers from the Canada and Europe region on the 2026 #CWprize shortlist, including two authors from the United Kingdom and the first-ever shortlisted writer from Malta.

John Edward DeMicoli makes history as Malta’s debut writer on the shortlist with ‘The Bastion’s Shadow’. Set in Valletta, his story follows an NGO worker and explores themes of migration and memory. A writer and genealogist, John Edward’s work often examines the intersections of history, identity and belonging.

‘Saudade’, by UK writer Alison Armstrong (@alison_1513), centres on an older sister reflecting on her childhood. Alison was a 2024 fellow of Fondation Jan Michalski, and her work has previously been supported by the Royal Society of Literature (RSL).

Jennifer Harvey’s short story ‘Chiddingfold’ follows a woman contemplating life, marriage and what it means to call a place home. Jennifer is the author of three novels, and her short fiction has appeared in a range of literary magazines and anthologies.

Which of these stories are you most looking forward to reading?

https://t.co/opgPF77WSx

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6 months ago

There are two writers from the Pacific region on this year’s #CWPrize shortlist, representing Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. M.S. Bhatia, based in Australia, is the author of ‘Bitter Water Village’. Following the experience of a fifteen-year-old girl, the story explores endurance, family silence and survival. Beyond literature, Bhatia has also contributed to media discussions on political economy. ‘Second Skin’, by Holly Ann Miller of Aotearoa New Zealand, is set on a farm in the Southern Alps. She has been recognised in the 2025 editions of the NYC Midnight Short Story Competition and the AAASL Short Story Competition. Discover more about this year’s shortlist: https://t.co/opgPF77WSx

cwfcreatives's tweet photo. There are two writers from the Pacific region on this year’s #CWPrize shortlist, representing Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

M.S. Bhatia, based in Australia, is the author of ‘Bitter Water Village’. Following the experience of a fifteen-year-old girl, the story explores endurance, family silence and survival. Beyond literature, Bhatia has also contributed to media discussions on political economy.

‘Second Skin’, by Holly Ann Miller of Aotearoa New Zealand, is set on a farm in the Southern Alps. She has been recognised in the 2025 editions of the NYC Midnight Short Story Competition and the AAASL Short Story Competition.

Discover more about this year’s shortlist:
https://t.co/opgPF77WSx

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6 months ago

Caribbean Region Shortlisted Writers #CWprize

6 months ago

This year’s #CWprize shortlist includes six outstanding stories from the Caribbean region, with shortlisted writers from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Cosmata Lindie (@Cosmata1), a Guyanese writer and visual artist, returns to the Prize after being shortlisted in 2024. Her 2026 story, ‘The Metamorphosis of Miss Alice’, follows a juvenile delinquent whose encounters with a frail and forgotten old woman lead him to believe in the power of transformation. ‘Plenty Time’, by Trinidadian writer Celeste Mohammed, centres on an act of kindness between an elderly widow and another woman in a desperate struggle for dignity. Formerly a lawyer, Celeste is now an award-winning full-time writer, editor and ghostwriter. She was also shortlisted in 2024. In ‘The Serpent in the Grove’, Trinidadian writer Jamir Nazir centres rural Trinidad in a story steeped in desire, poverty and dread. It explores betrayal, survival and the stubborn force of a woman’s will. Jamir has published several books and is particularly known for his poetry. Jason Dookeran (@shortdrops_tt), a Trinidadian writer based in Buenos Aires, is the author of ‘Pom Pom Peedeem Pom’, which follows a bassist’s attempt to escape his past—only to find it pursuing him across the sea in the form of a persistent rhythm. His work draws on Trinidadian dialect, folklore, and the interplay between tradition and contemporary life. Jochelle Greaves Siew, a Trinidadian PhD candidate, has been published in academic journals. Her story, ‘River Mouth’, is her first submission to a writing competition and explores the mysterious disappearance of several girls in a fishing community. She plans to complete her first women’s fiction novel after finishing her PhD. ‘Pot Hound Republic’, by Roger-Mark De Souza (@desouzarm), is told from the perspective of a stray dog wandering the streets and markets of Port of Spain. Born in Trinidad and now based in Washington, D.C., his work explores the complexities of diasporic life. He is currently completing a novel-in-stories tracing interconnected lives between the Caribbean and its global diaspora. We hope you enjoy reading these stories when they are published later this year. https://t.co/opgPF77WSx

cwfcreatives's tweet photo. This year’s #CWprize shortlist includes six outstanding stories from the Caribbean region, with shortlisted writers from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

Cosmata Lindie (@Cosmata1), a Guyanese writer and visual artist, returns to the Prize after being shortlisted in 2024. Her 2026 story, ‘The Metamorphosis of Miss Alice’, follows a juvenile delinquent whose encounters with a frail and forgotten old woman lead him to believe in the power of transformation.

‘Plenty Time’, by Trinidadian writer Celeste Mohammed, centres on an act of kindness between an elderly widow and another woman in a desperate struggle for dignity. Formerly a lawyer, Celeste is now an award-winning full-time writer, editor and ghostwriter. She was also shortlisted in 2024.

In ‘The Serpent in the Grove’, Trinidadian writer Jamir Nazir centres rural Trinidad in a story steeped in desire, poverty and dread. It explores betrayal, survival and the stubborn force of a woman’s will. Jamir has published several books and is particularly known for his poetry.

Jason Dookeran (@shortdrops_tt), a Trinidadian writer based in Buenos Aires, is the author of ‘Pom Pom Peedeem Pom’, which follows a bassist’s attempt to escape his past—only to find it pursuing him across the sea in the form of a persistent rhythm. His work draws on Trinidadian dialect, folklore, and the interplay between tradition and contemporary life.

Jochelle Greaves Siew, a Trinidadian PhD candidate, has been published in academic journals. Her story, ‘River Mouth’, is her first submission to a writing competition and explores the mysterious disappearance of several girls in a fishing community. She plans to complete her first women’s fiction novel after finishing her PhD.

‘Pot Hound Republic’, by Roger-Mark De Souza (@desouzarm), is told from the perspective of a stray dog wandering the streets and markets of Port of Spain. Born in Trinidad and now based in Washington, D.C., his work explores the complexities of diasporic life. He is currently completing a novel-in-stories tracing interconnected lives between the Caribbean and its global diaspora.

We hope you enjoy reading these stories when they are published later this year.

https://t.co/opgPF77WSx

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6 months ago

This year’s #CWprize shortlist includes six outstanding stories from the Caribbean region, with shortlisted writers from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Cosmata Lindie (@Cosmata1), a Guyanese writer and visual artist, returns to the Prize after being shortlisted in 2024. Her 2026 story, ‘The Metamorphosis of Miss Alice’, follows a juvenile delinquent whose encounters with a frail and forgotten old woman lead him to believe in the power of transformation. ‘Plenty Time’, by Trinidadian writer Celeste Mohammed, centres on an act of kindness between an elderly widow and another woman in a desperate struggle for dignity. Formerly a lawyer, Celeste is now an award-winning full-time writer, editor and ghostwriter. She was also shortlisted in 2024. In ‘The Serpent in the Grove’, Trinidadian writer Jamir Nazir centres rural Trinidad in a story steeped in desire, poverty and dread. It explores betrayal, survival and the stubborn force of a woman’s will. Jamir has published several books and is particularly known for his poetry. Jason Dookeran (@shortdrops_tt), a Trinidadian writer based in Buenos Aires, is the author of ‘Pom Pom Peedeem Pom’, which follows a bassist’s attempt to escape his past—only to find it pursuing him across the sea in the form of a persistent rhythm. His work draws on Trinidadian dialect, folklore, and the interplay between tradition and contemporary life. Jochelle Greaves Siew, a Trinidadian PhD candidate, has been published in academic journals. Her story, ‘River Mouth’, is her first submission to a writing competition and explores the mysterious disappearance of several girls in a fishing community. She plans to complete her first women’s fiction novel after finishing her PhD. ‘Pot Hound Republic’, by Roger-Mark De Souza (@desouzarm), is told from the perspective of a stray dog wandering the streets and markets of Port of Spain. Born in Trinidad and now based in Washington, D.C., his work explores the complexities of diasporic life. He is currently completing a novel-in-stories tracing interconnected lives between the Caribbean and its global diaspora. We hope you enjoy reading these stories when they are published later this year. https://t.co/opgPF77WSx

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6 months ago

There are three writers from the Canada and Europe region on the 2026 #CWprize shortlist, including two authors from the United Kingdom and the first-ever shortlisted writer from Malta. John Edward DeMicoli makes history as Malta’s debut writer on the shortlist with ‘The Bastion’s Shadow’. Set in Valletta, his story follows an NGO worker and explores themes of migration and memory. A writer and genealogist, John Edward’s work often examines the intersections of history, identity and belonging. ‘Saudade’, by UK writer Alison Armstrong (@alison_1513), centres on an older sister reflecting on her childhood. Alison was a 2024 fellow of Fondation Jan Michalski, and her work has previously been supported by the Royal Society of Literature (RSL). Jennifer Harvey’s short story ‘Chiddingfold’ follows a woman contemplating life, marriage and what it means to call a place home. Jennifer is the author of three novels, and her short fiction has appeared in a range of literary magazines and anthologies. Which of these stories are you most looking forward to reading? https://t.co/opgPF77WSx

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Ọlá W. Halim @OlaposiH

6 months ago

2021 vs. 2026: Gratitude, still. ❤️🌹 @cwfcreatives #CWprize

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6 months ago

Celebrating fellow #CWPrize shortlisted writers from Africa, ahead of our Regional Winner Announcement on 13th May @commonwealthorg @cwfcreatives @AnjellahOwino @dawn_immanuel @Hussaniabdul4 @writingafrica_ @RKbookpublicist https://t.co/fYVSkwhpvh

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