The Observer / Redstone Press Postcard Story Prize 2026
Winners: Liz Gwinnell, Jules Lane, Dieter Rogiers
Read their stories in The Observer, or over on our Substack, along with the full shortlist.
Judging panel: Julian Barnes, Tom Gatti, Jan Carson, Ardashir Vakil
A postcard is a simple thing: image on one side, writing on the other. But the relationship between image and text can be complex and teasing. Postcards always tell a story of some kind and are often glimpses into larger stories, inklings of whole lives...
We invited writers of all ages and backgrounds to submit an imaginative short story, piece of text, or poem (up to 250 words) in response to a postcard image.
The three winners each received a £300 cash prize, publication of their story in The Observer and a place on an Arvon Foundation masterclass.
Judging Panel
Julian Barnes
Julian Barnes is the author of numerous novels, short stories and essays. His many honours and awards include the Man Booker prize for The Sense of an Ending in 2011.
Ardashir Vakil
Ardashir Vakil taught English in comprehensive schools for twenty years. He has written two award-winning novels, Beach Boy and One Day as well as poetry and essays.
Jan Carson
Jan Carson is an award-winning writer and activist. She has written two collections of postcard stories.
Tom Gatti
Tom Gatti is the literary editor of The Observer and the author of Long Players: Writers on the Albums that Shaped Them.