Fresh Ink Prize winner

Congratulations to Hunter region writer Jessie Ansons who has been awarded the 2025 Fresh Ink Prize for a regional NSW emerging writer. Jessie receives $5000 for professional development thanks to Elephant in the Room wine label, as well as a week-long residency at Varuna, The Writer’s House.

The prize was judged by writers Courtney Collins and Natasha Rai. Jessie’s submission was the first pages of her novel-in-progress Forever Yours and was praised at the announcement by Courtney, pictured left with Jessie and festival director Rosemarie Milsom, as “disturbingly unforgettable”. “It really got under our skin and that’s what we’re all trying to do as writers. There’s a beautiful restraint that you show and a real respect for your reader. It’s a gift to remember that your reader also makes the story.”

Jessie’s winning novel extract will be published in the summer issue of Swell magazine in early December.

For the first time, shortlisted writers received $250 each thanks to the generosity of festival Patrons.

The prize is also supported by Create NSW.