The Australian Government is now accepting submissions for the prestigious 2023 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, honouring literary talent from Australia.
Authors and illustrators are invited to enter their works, published in the calendar year 2022, across six categories. The submission deadline is set for July 25, 2023, at 3 PM (AEST).
A generous prize pool of $600,000 will be shared among chosen literary works in the categories of fiction, poetry, non-fiction, Australian history, children’s literature, and young adult literature.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his enthusiasm for the awards, highlighting the importance of celebrating the remarkable contributions of Australia’s literary creators.
“Our creative sector is central to Australia’s soul and national identity – these awards recognise the significant contribution creators of the written word and illustrators make to the cultural life of Australia,” he said.
“Each year we hope to see a diverse pool of entries which captures the wide range of voices in Australian literature. I encourage anyone who is eligible, to submit their work to be considered by the independent judging panel for this prize.”
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting Australian writers through the National Cultural Policy, Revive. He recognised the power of literature, history, and poetry in amplifying Australian stories and noted the forthcoming establishment of Writer’s Australia, which will provide direct support to the literature sector.
The independent judging panel will have the honor of assessing the diverse pool of entries and selecting the most exceptional works. Submissions are encouraged from eligible individuals across the literary spectrum, as they represent the diverse voices and experiences of Australian literature.
Adrian Collette AM, CEO of the Australia Council for the Arts, praised the awards for recognising and honoring some of Australia’s finest authors. He expressed pride in the Australia Council’s role in organizing the awards for the first time and eagerly anticipated this year’s entries, showcasing the outstanding talent present in the country.
For more information about the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and the entry guidelines, interested individuals can visit the official website.
