Hachette sponsors John Marsden prize for young writers

Hachette is sponsoring this year’s John Marsden prize, which is now known as the John Marsden/Hachette Australia Prize for Young Australian Writers.

The prize, which aims to encourage young people to pursue writing careers, has been presented by Express Media and funded by John Marsden since 2005. Prizes are awarded in four categories: short fiction by a writer aged 18-24; poetry by a writer aged 18-24; fiction by a writer aged under 18; and poetry by a writer aged under 18. Winners share in prize money totalling $5500.

This year’s winners will be published in the Express Media magazine Voiceworks, with the winner of the 18-24 short fiction category also receiving a manuscript development session with a member of the Hachette publishing team. The top 12 finalists will be included in an ebook published by Express Media as part of its ‘Best of Express’ series. According to a statement from Hachette, the publisher ‘will release this ebook through their wide e-commerce channels, will feature the ebook on their website and through their social media channels’.

In a statement, Express Media general manager Steve Lamattina described the new partnership as ‘a natural extension’ that will provide benefits for young writers. ‘They’ll not only be gaining tangible industry experience through the manuscript development session provided by Hachette Australia, but also wider exposure for their writing through Hachette’s professional networks,’ said Lamattina. John Marsden said that the partnership will ‘offer new and exciting possibilities to young writers’.

Hachette publishing director Fiona Hazard said in a statement: ‘To partner with John Marsden and Express Media, who have for many years shown their commitment to young and upcoming writers, seems the perfect fit. Our company published John Marsden’s first book So Much To Tell You (Lothian), and after all John’s success to see him give back to the writing community is very inspiring and something we are keen to support.’

For more information on the prize, visit the Express Media website here.

Category: Local news