Inaugural Australian Fiction Prize shortlist announced
The shortlist for the inaugural Australian Fiction Prize, presented by HarperCollins and the Australian, has been announced.
The shortlisted manuscripts, chosen from almost 500 entries, are:
- ‘Blackswansong’ by Michael Burrows
- ‘In Her Own Words’ by Madeleine Cleary
- ‘Wild Heart by’ Katherine Johnson
- ‘Crossing the Creek’ by Judi Morison
- ‘The Wanting Dance’ by Joanna Morrison
- ‘Summer Animals’ by Madeleine Streater
- ‘Say Something’ by Bronwyn Stuart.
The prize offers the winner $20,000, plus a $15,000 advance and publication with HarperCollins.
The prize is this year judged by Australian literary editor Caroline Overington, Zeitgeist Agency literary agent Samuel Bernard, Gleebooks Dulwich Hill manager and buyer Letitia Davy, HarperCollins Australia head of fiction Catherine Milne, and HarperCollins publishers Roberta Ivers and Anna Valdinger.
Said Overington: ‘We were blown away by the number of people who submitted a manuscript for consideration—and by the excellence of those entries. The standard is high. Each and every one of these writers deserve their place on the shortlist. In my opinion, they’re all worthy winners. It’s been a joy to read their work.’
Said Milne: ‘It was a joy to whittle the entries down to this impressive shortlist of seven, a mix of debut writers and seasoned authors, writing everything from psychological thrillers to crime to family sagas to bushranger epics. Choosing a winner is going to be extremely difficult indeed.’
The Australian Fiction Prize was created as part of the Australian’s 60th birthday celebrations, following the announcement that the 2024 Australian/Vogel’s Award would be the last.
The winner of the new prize will be announced in the Weekend Australian on 7 December.
Category: Awards Local news
