Skopje, 5 January 2026 (MIA) — The Macedonian Writers Association announced Monday the longlists for their annual awards for best fiction, best poetry collection and best children's book as well as the shortlists for the MWA awards for best book of essays and best book published in one of the languages ​​of the country's ethnic communities.

According to the MWA in a press release, 53 books published in 2025 were submitted to this year's contest. 

Seventeen works were submitted for the Stale Popov Best Fiction prize. The latest fiction books by Marija Vodenska, Filip Georgievski, Jovan Damjanovski, Vesna Damchevska Ilievska, Petre Dimovski, Dimitrie Duracovski, Irena Jurcheva, Trajche Kacarov, Hana Korneti, Dragana Lukan Nikoloski, Mirche B. Neshovski, Liljana Pandeva, Frosina Parmakovska, Mihajlo Sviderski, Ana Stojanoska, Olivera Kjorveziroska and Ivica Chelikovikj have made the longlist.

Sixteen works were submitted for the Aco Shopov Best Poetry Book award. The latest poetry collections by Daniela Andonovska Trajkovska, Igor Angjelkov, Elizabeta Bandilovska, Tihomir Janchovski, Zharko Kujundzhiski, Milcho Misoski, Zoran Pejkovski, Ana Pejchinova, Biljana Stankovska, Mirjana Stojanovska, Gabriela Stojanoska, Jusuf Sulejman, Bratislav Tashkovski, Branko Cvetkoski as well as two poetry books by Vladimir Martinovski have made the longlist.

Thirteen works were submitted for the Vancho Nikoleski Best Children's Book award. The latest children's books by Ivan Antonovski, Aleksandra Velinova, Lidija Dimkovska, Vlado Dimovski, Hana Korneti, Aleksandar Kujundzhiski, Ermis Lafazanovski, Ljubinka Mijal Doneva, Vasil Mukaetov, Frosina Parmakovska, Stojan Tarapuza as well as two books by Eli Makazlieva have made the longlist.

Four works were submitted for the Dimitar Mitrev Critical Essay Collection prize. Books by Igor Angjelkov, Vesna Mojsova Chepishevska, Suzana V. Spasovska and Elizabeta Sheleva are competing for the award.

Three works were submitted for the Bridge Award for best book published in one of the languages ​​of the country's ethnic communities. Their authors are Ahmet Selmani, Ljerka Tot Naumova and Kalosh Çeliku.

The MWA will publish excerpts from all entries on its social media pages in the coming days, the release said.

The winners will be announced in February. mr/