It’s time to announce the shortlist for the Sudden Valley Press John O’Connor First Book Award – awarded to a Te Waipounamu South Island resident poet who has not previously published a full-length collection of poetry.

The winner will be announced on 1 May 2026, and their collection will be published on National Poetry Day, 28 August 2026.

Congratulations to our three finalists (presented here in manuscript title order), as judged by Fiona Farrell.

MEGAN CLAYTON: From Ōtautahi Christchurch, Megan (she/they, tangata Tiriti) writes lyric and narrative poems about family, feeling and memory, and performs regularly on the open mic at local poetry events. Poems and essays by Megan have been published in collections and journals in Aotearoa and Australia. Manuscript: *Dynamite*

MICHELLE ELVY: Michelle is a writer, editor and creative writing teacher in Ōtepoti Dunedin. She edits at *Flash Frontier* and At the Bay | I te Kokoru. Her non-poetry books include *the everrumble* and *the other side of better*, with *ocean sky marble eye* forthcoming. Manuscript: *Motion sickness*

ANDREA EWING: Andrea is a writer and lawyer living in Whakatū Nelson. Her poems and stories have been published in anthologies and journals including *takahē*, *Mayhem*, *Poetry New Zealand Yearbook*, *Quick Brown Dog*, *a fine line*, and *Flash Frontier*. Manuscript: *some wild inland sea*

Thank you to all who submitted their work and commiserations to those who didn’t make the shortlist – your writing made this a rich and rewarding process. And to our three finalists, congratulations! The long month of waiting starts now!