Julia Elliott Awarded $150,000 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction for ‘Hellions’ (Exclusive)

**Julia Elliott Triumphs with Horror Short Story Collection for Prestigious Carol Shields Prize**

Author Julia Elliott has been awarded the 2026 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction for her captivating short story collection titled *Hellions*. This anthology, which was released by Tin House in April 2025, intertwines elements of Southern gothic horror, surrealism and fantasy, while exploring profound themes of human folly and corporeal realism.

*Hellions* features an intriguing array of characters, including a medieval nun scribing a forbidden mystic manuscript, a young girl from rural South Carolina who develops supernatural abilities spurred by her obsession with the film *The Exorcist*, and a college student who contends with a tyrannical shape-shifting professor. The collection has garnered high praise for its inventive narratives and vivid storytelling.

The jury for the Carol Shields Prize describes *Hellions* as an “eerie, eclectic, genre-leaping collection” that delivers a raw and engaging reading experience. In their press release, they noted, “Every sentence of *Hellions* crackles or crawls, creating a backdrop of horror and magic against which themes of human folly emerge.” The jury also likened Elliott’s style to that of renowned authors such as Angela Carter and Dorothy Allison, praising her seamless infusion of folklore, Southern gothic elements, and surrealist touches—all connected by a thread of unsettling realism.

Elliott’s achievement comes with a substantial prize of £150,000 and a residency at the Fogo Island Inn located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Additionally, four finalists were recognised, each receiving £10,000 in recognition of their outstanding works. This year’s shortlist included compelling titles such as *The White Hot* by Quiara Alegría Hudes and *Brotherless Night* by V.V. Ganeshananthan.

Teaching at the University of South Carolina, Elliott is also the author of other notable works including *The Wilds* and *The New and Improved Romie Futch*. Her consistency in producing remarkable literature has firmly established her as a significant voice in contemporary fiction.

The Carol Shields Prize, named after the eminent Pulitzer Prize-winning author known for *The Stone Diaries*, stands as “the first major English-language literary award to celebrate creativity and excellence in fiction by women and non-binary writers in the United States and Canada.” This initiative is dedicated to recognising diverse literary talents while offering scholarships and financial support to women and non-binary authors. Furthermore, the foundation provides mentoring programmes and residency opportunities that benefit both writers and the wider public.

Past laureates of the prestigious Carol Shields Prize have included celebrated authors such as Fatimah Asghar for *When We Were Sisters* and Canisia Lubrin for *Cold Noir*. Their contributions have paved the way for further recognition of female and non-binary narratives within the literary landscape.

As literature continues to evolve, recognition such as the Carol Shields Prize encourages a broader representation in storytelling. Julia Elliott’s *Hellions* undoubtedly adds to this rich tapestry, offering uniquely woven tales that resonate with contemporary societal themes and the human experience.

With her victory, Elliott not only cements her place within the literary world, but also inspires new generations of writers exploring the complexities of identity, culture and the supernatural.