2026 Phoenix Award Shortlist

Nina Amée Fox is a writer, poet, screenwriter, voiceover artist, actor and visual storyteller. Her work explores the darker corners of human

Sheelagh is a visually impaired author based in the UK who has been writing since she could hold a pen. A retired vicar with more in common with The

Evangelina is the winner of a young writers’ literary contest and was awarded a diploma by author Sofia Remez (2023). Previous Publications: 1. All

Max is a multi-award winning disability and LGBTQIA+ activist, who was recognised in 2024 as the UK’s most influential disabled scientist. They talk

Kerstin Decook is a bestselling author, speaker, and certified professional coach who helps people break free from the invisible barriers that keep

Ryan MacDonald is a Scottish author and freelance crime and justice journalist. A former senior police officer with three decades of experience across

Michelle Ashton has no prior experience and thought she was journaling for therapeutic reasons. Her last entry on 9/11 is when it finally made sense

Actor, writer, mother, storyteller, wanderer, Jack of All Trades, ADD-brained energiser bunny, proud bisexual, human.

“At age thirty, I decided to pursue a career in law. I left my job in the corporate world to retrain as a solicitor. Three years later, I was

Bishr Yazji is a British-Syrian banker who trades credit underwriting by day for writing chaotic mythological sci-fi on his commute. He holds a

Sophie Mutiara Nova (they/them) – is a Queer, mixed Indonesian American, immunocompromised Writer-Director and punk. They’re the Writing Fellow of

Felicia Djamirze is a qualified counsellor, award-winning businesswoman, and mental health advocate. As the founder and CEO of Neuro Vitality Pty Ltd