Deakin University Nonfiction Prize – Submissions Now Open!
Deakin University and Express Media, in partnership with the Word for Word National Non-Fiction Festival, are excited to open submissions for the 2019 Deakin University Nonfiction Prize.
The Nonfiction Prize for Young Writers began as a joint venture between Scribe Publications and Express Media in 2013. The prize is a unique development award to foster talented writers aged 30 and under writing longform nonfiction, and Deakin University and Express Media are thrilled to continue this legacy.
Entries of between 5000 and 10,000 words are welcome across all nonfiction genres, including memoir, journalism, essay, and creative nonfiction. Entrants must be 30 years of age or under as of the closing date (Sunday 1 September 2019), and be residents of Australia.
The winner will receive a cash prize of $3000, and an editorial mentorship to develop their work, guided by Black Inc Managing Editor and Express Media Board Member Julia Carlomagno. Shortlisted writers will receive an invitation to an exclusive craft development masterclass with some of Australia’s best nonfiction writers, personalised feedback on their entry from the judges and a generous selection of new-release books from publishers including NewSouth Publishing, Black Inc and Scribe Publications.
Entries close 11.59pm Sunday 1 September. For submission details and terms and conditions, visit the Express Media website.
The shortlisted authors and prize winner will be selected by Bethany Atkinson-Quinton (Creative Producer, Express Media), Timmah Ball (2016 Westerly Magazine Patricia Hackett Prize Winner), Julia Carlomagno (Managing Editor, Black Inc), Maddee Clark (2018 UnMagazine’s Co-editor), and Briohny Doyle (Lecturer in Creative Practice, Writing and Literature, Deakin University). The winner will be announced at the opening night of the 2019 Word for Word National Non-Fiction Festival at Geelong Library &and Heritage Centre, on Friday 15 November.
Writers will also have the chance to ask their burning questions about the prize, and seek advice on what the judges are looking for, during a live Q&A on Thursday 1 August at 6pm.
Past winners and shortlisted writers have gone on to sign their debut works as a direct result of the prize: Briohny Doyle (Adult Fantasy, 2017), Oliver Mol (Lion Attack!, 2015), Patrick Mullins (A Liberal View, 2018), Drew Rooke (The Final Spin, 2018), and Lech Blaine (Car Crash, 2018). The 2014 winner, Robbie Arnott, has received critical acclaim for his work, and was awarded The 2015 Tasmanian Young Writers Fellowship.
The Deakin University Nonfiction Prize is presented in partnership with Express Media and Word For Word National Non-Fiction Festival.
For all media enquiries, please contact Jes Layton, Administration & Communications Coordinator: (03) 9094 7889 info [at] expressmedia.org.au
*Featured image by Kaitlyn Baker on Unsplash