Text Prize 2023 shortlist announced

Monday, 5 June 2023 Books+Publishing

The shortlist for the Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing, worth $10,000, has been announced.

The shortlisted manuscripts are:

‘Upswell’ by Beth Amos (YA), about a 17-year-old surfer who, after an act of impulsive violence, finds an unlikely connection at a Snowy Mountains youth program, and which explores one-punch attacks, anger and grief, fractured families and youth rehabilitation
‘The Best Witch in Paris’ by Lauren Crozier (middle-grade), a fantasy novel about Luna, a spirited young witch who was found as a baby lying beneath a magic tree and who must fight to hold on to her magical birthright—with the help of a mischievous familiar, a boobook owl called Silver
‘Song of the Summer’ by Julia Faragher (YA), about 18-year-old Ki, who must balance her love of music and performing with caring for her mum, who has been re-diagnosed with cancer
‘Una and the Many worlds of Dream’ by Verity Laughton (YA), about a lonely teenager who must make her way in the Ash Pits, one of the many Worlds of Dream, determined to avenge her only friend
‘Ribs’ by Ella PiIson (YA) about 16-year-old Leila who, after a bullying incident, moves to a new school with a vibrant curriculum and some genuinely cool people. Leila thinks she’s all set for a simple school year … until she falls for her classmate, Maxine
‘Golden’ by Jade Timms (YA) is about 17-year-old Eddie, who navigates grief and guilt after the death of her brother-in-law. Eddie plans to spend the summer working and training for a mud run, but a new friendship sees her confronting emotions she’s been expertly avoiding.

The recipient of the Steph Bowe Mentorship will also be chosen from the shortlisted authors, and both winners will be announced on 19 June.

The winner of last year’s Text Prize was Megan Williams for her debut YA novel Let’s Never Speak of This Again, to be published in August.