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Member only guide to the Australian book industry.
The ASA is thrilled to offer the Tasmanian Writers and Illustrators Mentorship Program in 2026, thanks to the support of the Tasmanian Government through Arts Tasmania.
This program is designed to nurture the next generation of literary talent in Tasmania, and to link Tasmanian creators to professional development opportunities and national publishing networks. Mentees will have the opportunity to develop their work with an accomplished and experienced mentor, access valuable professional development programs hosted by the ASA, and forge vital connections in the Australian book and publishing industry for ongoing support and encouragement.
A panel of experts will assess all submissions and award 16 free mentorship packages.
Fourteen writers of adult fiction, non-fiction, poetry, young adult and children’s works will receive:
Two creators of illustrated works (picture book and graphic novel authors, author/illustrators and illustrators) will receive:
All program participants will receive a $500 honorarium directly from Arts Tasmania towards the costs of undertaking the program.
All writers and illustrators who are residents of Tasmania are welcome to apply. In recognition of barriers to access and to encourage diversity in publishing, we encourage submissions from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander writers and illustrators, and creators from marginalised communities (culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse creators, creators from LGBTQIA+ communities, and creators with disabilities).
Entries will be accepted in the following genres for the 20-hour mentorships for writers:
Entries will be accepted in the following genres for the 10-hour mentorships for creators of illustrated works:
The genre that creators select on their submission form will place them in the running for the corresponding mentorship package. The mentorships will be divided across genres, depending on the number of entries received. All entries from all genres will be assessed, but not all genres may be represented in the final distribution of mentorships awarded.
Successful applicants will work closely with a mentor selected from the ASA Mentor Register.
Tuesday 28 April, 10 am AEST
Friday 5 June, 4 pm AEST
Wednesday 8 July
Early November 2026, at the Colin Simpson Memorial Keynote
Entry is free for writers and illustrators based in Tasmania.
Creators living outside of the state of Tasmania are not eligible to apply.
1. Entries must be submitted via the online entry form with the two files attached:
Poets and short story writers should include the full manuscript of collected works (intended for publication).
Illustrators and graphic novelists should submit a story manuscript, a completed flat plan (roughs are acceptable) and at least three 2-page spreads to demonstrate the final artwork.
2. Both files must be submitted in Word Document format, using Times New Roman in 12 point, double-spaced with page numbers, and include the writer’s name and the working title of the work on every page. Illustrator entries (picture book and graphic novels) may be submitted as a PDF.
3. No paper or email applications will be accepted.
4. Entries must comply with the Terms and Conditions, including word count limits.
Entries must conform to the Award’s Terms and Conditions.
The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) is thrilled to announce the 2022 Tasmanian Writers and Illustrators Program recipients!
Illustrated works
Ruth Thomas – Towser Bear, Get Out of There!
Jamie Edward – Acroryhmes
The mentorship recipients were selected by a panel of assessors consisting of Debra Adelaide, Adolfo Aranjuez, Nicole Smede, Samera Kamaleddine and Jess Racklyeft. To read more about the 2025 Tasmanian Writers and Illustrators Mentorship Program, click here.
Children’s
Amy Genford
Nicole Gill
Rodney O’Keefe
Lyndon Riggall
Picture Book Illustration
Fiona Levings
Young Adult
Wendy Newton
Sarah White
Fiction
Colette Horrocks
Alena Hrasky
Hannah Warwarek
Romy Tara Wenzel
Sharon Kent
Nadia Mahjouri
Brigita Ozolins
Zane Pinner
Leigh Swinbourne
Narrative Non-fiction
Linda Cockburn
Jane Deeth
Poetry
Eva Hale
Graphic Novels
Ben Lambert
The mentorship recipients were selected by a panel of assessors consisting of Adolfo Aranjuez, Christina Booth, Kate Gordon, Alexandra Payne and Kate Ryan. The assessors remarked on the high standard of the applications, which demonstrated the great depth of talent and diversity in the Tasmanian community. The assessors have shared their comments below.
To read more about the 2022 Tasmanian Writers and Illustrators Mentorship Program, click here.
