The Australian Government is celebrating outstanding Australian literary talent with the 2023 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.
Entries across six literary categories are now open for works published in the 2022 calendar year. Entries close on 25 July 2023 at 3.00pm (AEST).
Outstanding literary works in fiction, poetry, non-fiction, Australian history, children’s literature, and young adult literature will share in prize pool of $600,000.
The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said the Awards provide a chance to celebrate some of our greatest, current literary talent.
“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,” said Prime Minister Albanese.
“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, said Australia’s National Cultural Policy, Revive, revitalises support for Australian writers.
“Australia’s best writers make us laugh, cry, learn and escape – even if it’s just for a moment. They let us see our lives reflected on pages and in stories about the places we live,” said Minister Burke.
“The Prime Minister’s Literary Awards celebrate the vast contribution literature, history, and poetry make to amplifying Australian stories.
“I’m also excited for the emergence of more Australian writing and writers with the coming establishment of Writer’s Australia, which will provide direct support to the literature sector,” said Minister Burke.
Australia Council for the Arts CEO Adrian Collette AM said these awards recognise some of the finest authors in Australia today.
“This country has produced some of the world’s great authors, poets, and scholars. At the Australia Council we are proud to produce the awards for the first time and excited to see this year’s entries,” said Mr Collette
For more information about the Awards and entry guidelines, visit: www.arts.gov.au for details.
Image: Books on Shelves – photo by Renee Fisher