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We are pleased to announce that thirteen CA/ASA Developmental Leadership Program mentorships will be awarded in 2026 to help Australian writers and illustrators develop their work to a publishable standard and build the skills they need to establish sustainable careers.
Thanks to the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund, this new program builds on the successes of the ASA’s long-running Award Mentorship Program – which includes past recipients such as Miles Franklin Literary Award winners Shankari Chandran and Siang Lu – with a special focus on developing future Australian literary leaders by connecting them with current industry experts. All writers and illustrators are welcome to apply.
A panel of experts will assess all submissions and award the following mentorships.
Ten writers of adult fiction, non-fiction, poetry, young adult, and children’s fiction will receive:
Three creators of illustrated works (children’s picture books and graphic novels) will receive:
Two highly commended applicants of any genre will receive:
The CA/ASA Developmental Leadership Program represents a vital opportunity for authors and illustrators to develop their work and take their careers to the next level, offering mentorship and professional development to creators who may otherwise be unable to access them.
Previous iterations of the program have provided the boost many notable Australian writers or illustrators have needed to begin their careers and advance their literary leadership. Siang Lu was awarded a mentorship in 2015 for the manuscript that went on to become his 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award-winning novel, Ghost Cities. Other previous winners include Favel Parrett, Shankari Chandran, Holden Sheppard, Julie Janson, Deborah Frenkel, Shivaun Plozza, Inda Ahmad Zahri, and Sandhya Parappukkaran.
Applications close on Friday 6 February 2026. This project is supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund.
