The Kill Your Darlings Creative Non-Fiction Essay Prize is a competition for essays between 2500 and 3500 words, on any subject and in any style (such as memoir, commentary, cultural criticism, reportage etc).
First prize is $3000, with two runner-up prizes of $1000 each.
Applications are now closed.
The Creative Non-Fiction Essay Prize is on hiatus in 2024.
Sign up to our newsletter or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates about KYD prizes in 2025.
2023 winner: ‘Think an Empty Room, Moonly with Phone Glow’ by Xiaole Zhan.
2023 runners-up: ‘Unholy Anorexia’ by Coco Stallman and ‘Revelation: On Trepanation’ by Ria Kealey.
Read the 2023 judge’s comments here.
2022 winner: ‘Hungry Little DisHuman Beings’ by Caitlin McGregor.
2023 runners-up: ‘The Mother Cake’ by Georgia Mill and ‘Road Ecology’ by Connor Tomas O’Brien.
Read the 2022 judge’s comments here.
Need some inspiration? Check out our online writing course bundles:
Mastering the Creative Non-Fiction Essay
Everything you need to know about the creative possibilities in writing essays with award-winning writers Sophie Cunningham and Fiona Wright.
Finding Your Voice in Non-Fiction
Two insightful courses from Sisonke Msimang and Bridie Jabour to help you share your original voice and ideas with a larger audience.
