New PRH longform mentoring program

The Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas (JNI) has partnered with Penguin Random House Australia (PRH) and the Copyright Agency on a new initiative to provide practical experience and mentoring to Australian longform writers.

The Long Lede initiative will pair 10 writers with 10 mentors to develop a 5000-word piece of longform factual writing, to be published in a PRH anthology. The mentees will have the opportunity to develop their skills in crafting and pitching ideas, conducting research, interviewing subjects, fact-checking and editing, and will attend a series of masterclasses taught by longform practitioners.

‘Longform factual writing plays a vital role in the Australian media and publishing landscape, providing an opportunity for readers and writers to step out of the daily news cycle and examine the world more deeply,’ said JNI executive director Mark Ryan. ‘JNI believes it is important to develop writers in this space for the benefit of the wider industry.’

Of the new partnership, PRH publishing director Justin Ractliffe said: ‘Penguin Random House has a proud history of publishing narrative nonfiction and reportage. We’re delighted to be partnering with JNI and Copyright Agency to support and nurture a new cohort of writers. This is a lede that won’t be buried!’

Open to early to mid-career writers, the program will run from October 2022 to April 2023. Applicants must be Australian residents, have some previously published work, and should have a desire to build their portfolio in longform writing.

For more information about the program, see the JNI website.

Category: Local news