Ellis wins 2023 Calibre Essay Prize

Sydney writer Tracy Ellis has won the 2023 Australian Book Review (ABR) Calibre Essay Prize for her essay ‘Flow States’.  

Ellis, who won the ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize in 2022, is the first person to win both ABR’s Calibre and Jolley prizes.  

Ellis’s essay was chosen by the judges, former Calibre winner Yves Rees, ABR editor Peter Rose and critic Beejay Silcox, from 397 entries received from 24 countries. In it, Ellis draws out a tale of ‘the obliterative power—real, existential, and metaphorical—of floodwater’, says ABR.  

‘“Flow States” impressed the Calibre judges with its elegance, layered richness, and sharp-eyed observation. It is an essay that invites—rewards—rereading. Part memoir, part cultural history, and part solastalgic elegy, ‘Flow States’ behaves like its subject: it ebbs and whorls. The result is something that speaks to our perma-crisis present, but tells a much older story.’ 

‘It’s such an honour to be awarded the Calibre Essay Prize,’ says Ellis. ‘I feel extraordinarily lucky that my essay resonated with the judges. To win on the back of the Jolley Prize brings an immense double happiness. ABR sets a high benchmark with the way they run Calibre and the Jolley. Having worked with editor Peter Rose and the ABR staff on the Jolley Prize last year, I can testify to their integrity, refreshing lack of cynicism, and genuine respect for writers. These awards and acknowledgements do matter—they help enormously on both a professional and practical level. I’m extremely grateful to ABR, the judges, and Patrons, and give thanks for my good fortune.’  

Ellis works as an editor in digital and print media and holds a Master’s in Creative Writing from UTS. 

Last year’s winner of the Calibre Essay Prize was Simon Tedeschi for his essay ‘This Woman My Grandmother’.

Category: Awards Local news