New prize for humour writing added to VPLAs

A new award category, the John Clarke Prize for Humour Writing, has been added to the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards (VPLAs), named in honour of satirist, writer and actor John Clarke (1948–2017).

The award will include a cash prize of $25,000, in line with other VPLA categories for fiction, nonfiction, drama, poetry, Indigenous writing, children’s literature, and writing for young adults.

Established by the Victorian Government and the Clarke family, the new prize is open in its first year to books of comedic fiction, nonfiction and poetry published in 2023 and 2024.

Writer/director Lorin Clarke, daughter of John Clarke, will serve as a member of the prize’s judging panel.

Said the Clarke family: ‘For the Victorian government to support such a significant award in [Clarke’s] name so that humorous writing can be celebrated is a wonderful and fitting tribute.’

Wheeler Centre CEO Erin Vincent said: ‘John Clarke created his own brand of humour, and it remains beyond compare. He was so skilful with words, I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a Victorian literary award in their name. To know this prize will help strengthen the careers of future humour writers is a beautiful and fitting tribute to one of the great satirists of our time.’

VPLA submissions are currently open, with 2025 shortlists due to be announced in January.

With additional funding for the new award category—and $2000 in funding towards the People’s Choice Award from the Wheeler Centre—the total prize pool for VPLAs has this year expanded to $315,000.

Category: Awards Local news