No David Unaipon Award to be presented this year

Judges for this year’s Queensland Literary Awards won’t choose a shortlist or winner for this year’s David Unaipon Award, presented to an outstanding manuscript by an unpublished Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander writer.

In a statement to Books+Publishing, award judges said: ‘While each manuscript showed commendable writing effort and storytelling skill, the judges did not feel that any manuscript amongst this year’s entries were yet of publication standard.’

Instead, eligible entrants will receive author development through the State Library of Queensland, including mentorship, editorial advice and guidance on opportunities, pathways and artistic development, in consultation with the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund and the University of Queensland Press (UQP).

The David Unaipon Award has a prize of $15,000 and the winner receives publication with UQP. Last year marked the 30th year of the award, with Kirstie Parker winning for her manuscript ‘The Making of Ruby Champion’. Previous winners of the award include Tara June Winch, Ellen van Neerven and Samuel Wagan Watson.

The shortlists for this year’s Queensland Literary Awards were announced earlier this week.

Category: Awards Local news