Wilson wins 2024 Desperate Literature Prize, Australian writer shortlisted

London-based writer Sukie Wilson has won the 2024 Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize, while Australian author Amanda Hildebrandt and UK-based writer Richie Jones are runners-up.

Wilson won for their work ‘Leaving Night Country’, a ‘speculative story exploring menial labour under capitalism whilst quietly exposing our complex interior lives’, according to the prize organisers. Wilson receives €2000 (A$3307) in prize money; a week-long residency at the Civitella Ranieri artists’ retreat in Umbria, Italy; consultation with a literary agent; and a manuscript assessment for up to 60,000 words.

As runners-up, Hildebrandt and Jones each receive €1000 (A$1653), as well as consultation with a literary agent. Jones has also been awarded a 14-day residency in Nérac, France.

Founded and organised by the Madrid bookshop Desperate Literature and now in its seventh year, the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize was launched in 2017 ‘as an international attempt to provide a holistic framework of opportunities for writers of innovative and boundary-pushing short fiction’. Megan McDowell, Ottessa Moshfegh, Samanta Schweblin and Alejandro Zambra formed the judging panel for this year’s prize.

In 2024, the prize partnered with 13 literary organisations, including Kill Your Darlings in Australia.

Hadley Franklin won the 2023 prize, with N G F Clark and Andrea Mason runners-up.

Category: Awards Local news