Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman today announced the 2020 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards is open for entries.
The Awards aim to support, develop and recognise excellence in writing.
Nominations are open for the following categories:
- The Western Australian Writer's Fellowship valued at $60,000, designed to assist a Western Australian writer, in any genre, to develop their writing practice.
- The Premier's Prize for Writing for Children valued at $15,000. This category recognises quality writing for children (0-12) in any genre by an author/s residing in Western Australia and published in 2020. Self-published titles are eligible.
- The Premier's Prize for an Emerging Writer valued at $15,000. This category is for the first published work, in any genre, by an author residing in Western Australia and published in 2020. Self-published titles are eligible.
- The Daisy Utemorrah Award for Unpublished Indigenous Junior and Young Adult Writing ($15,000 and a publishing contract with Magabala Books) for a new unpublished manuscript for a work of junior and young adult fiction, including graphic novels, by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander writer - Australia wide.
The Daisy Utemorrah Award is open to Indigenous writers from across Australia. This Award is administered by Broome-based Indigenous publisher Magabala Books, with support from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
Entries close 5:00pm February 8, 2021 and winners will be announced in August 2021.
Information about the Awards, including how to enter, is available on the State Library's website - https://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"If ever there has been a time when books and reading have been important, it is this year. I am excited to see what new Western Australian literary talent is unearthed through the Awards process.
"The State Library is a fitting place to hold the Awards as it is a home of education, learning and literature; a community hub where writing and reading are cherished and celebrated."
