Richell Prize 2022 shortlist announced

Hachette Australia and the Emerging Writers’ Festival have announced the shortlist for the 2022 Richell Prize.

The six shortlisted authors, chosen from a longlist of 20 announced in September, are:

• Hajer Al-awsi for ‘Zainab’s Not Home’: ‘Readers are given an insight into living with a constant tension when caught between two cultures and an understanding of Iraqi-Australian life. The deft use of dialogue gave the story a believability that increased the reader’s engagement. The powerful examination of religious expectation, the constraints of religion and tradition on sexuality, the confronting reality of domestic and emotional abuse and the complexity of finding your place and your sense of self in modern Australia are revealed in scenes that will linger long for all the judges’
• Susannah Begbie for ‘When Trees Fall Without Warning’: ‘An original and fresh story that delivers memorable insights into dysfunctional family dynamics. A novel that shows what happens when a family is forced back together and the power of greed to motivate. The writer shows great skill in creating wonderful, complex characters and a plot that reveals the best and worst of humanity. This is an expertly told, compelling and entertaining story and every judge wanted to read more’
• Kate Harris for ‘Wake’: ‘A powerful, character-driven novel showing a talented writer who confidently twisted the missing girl trope to take readers through a journey of post-traumatic healing. With a believable and flawed main character, whose life will forever be tainted by a horrific crime, this novel shows the ongoing effects of trauma and with it delivers a writer with the promise of much more‘
• Eva Lomski for ‘Place Setting’: ‘The writing on show in this short story collection is breathtaking. Using the idea of what determines a sense of place to connect a disparate series of characters, this writer’s talent brings to life situations of uncertainty, fear, connection and separation as the reader is expertly steered through settings that are instantly alive’
• Anne Myers for ‘The Little Ones’: ‘An exquisitely told memoir on miscarriage, grief and mothering that is emotionally memorable. At times agonisingly honest, this is a beautifully crafted work, the writing is assured and reminded the judges of Jessie Cole and Helen Garner in its combination of talent and insight. Profound, unforgettable and a memoir that will resonate with many’
• Lisa Nan Joo (longlisted as Lisa Dowdall) for ‘The Medusa’: ‘A seemingly effortlessly crafted novel that combines a dark mystery with a contemporary thread intrigued and propelled all the judges to keep turning the page to discover answers. This writer was in complete control of the story and the combination of this beautiful writing and characters carrying mystery with them entranced all’.

The judging panel for 2022 includes Melanie Barton from Target Australia; Barbara Horgan from Beaufort Street Books; editor and writer Bianca Valentino; Hachette Australia publisher Vanessa Radnidge; and author Hannah Richell.

‘We never underestimated the courage it takes to submit a work or took for granted the privilege of judging the Richell Prize,’ said the judges. ‘In judging each writer’s work, we are honouring not just their work but also the memory of Matt Richell, a man who continually encouraged and promoted emerging writers, and this gives even greater emotional weight to the task.

‘It was difficult to narrow the shortlist down to six writers because of the impressive work recognised on the longlist. However, after much debate and discussion, these six shortlisted writers illustrate the quality and depth of contemporary Australian writing. All six writers display exceptional talent and storytelling power. Congratulations to you all.’

The winner receives $10,000 in prize money along with a 12-month mentorship with one of Hachette’s publishers. Hachette will work with the winning writer to develop their manuscript, with first option to consider the finished work and shortlisted entries for publication.

Now in its eighth year, the Richell Prize was established in memory of the late Hachette Australia CEO Matt Richell. It has been awarded to writers including Else Fitzgerald, Ruth McIver, Sam Coley, Aisling Smith and 2021 winner Simone Jordan.

The winner will be announced on Thursday, 3 November. For more information see the Hachette website.

Category: Awards Local news