Fiction

‘It’s been a total delight to read these entries. They were varied in genre and scope, from crime to social realism to romantasy to sci fi, but I can sincerely say I loved reading each one, and hope all the authors will continue in their good work. I was interested, despite the variety of manuscripts, to see certain themes emerge time and again. Gender politics, addiction, mental health, love, death and magic all ebbed and flowed amongst the submissions. I wish the authors all the very best with their writing.’

— Kate Kruimink

Non-fiction

‘I was gratified by these authors’ commitments to their varied interests, and by their labours of generosity. The literary marketplace is saturated with paint-by-numbers manuscripts and celebrity cash-ins, and nonfiction is no exception. But these Tasmanian authors are saying clearly and with distinctive style: “Here’s what matters to me, and why it might matter to you too.” Each of their manuscripts is obviously the work of ardour and perseverance.’

— Damon Young

Poetry

‘I welcomed these poets’ attempts to do justice to themselves and their worlds. Their approaches are partly defined by their attitude to the text’s spotlight: stepping back and allowing a particular place to radiate, or stepping proudly into the glare themselves. Each method has its boons and dangers, as do the various techniques used here, from playful allegory to enjambement of prose-like phrases. Poetry is beloved but financially ruinous vocation, and I appreciate these authors choosing this medium to express themselves.’

— Damon Young

Young adult & children’s fiction

‘I was bowled over by the quality and diversity of stories in this category. I could see, in both the manuscripts and the author’s statements, the passion and depth of thought that has gone into each of these works. I applaud every applicant for taking this first step towards assessment, development and publication. 

It was clear to me those applicants who really understood the markets for which they are writing, presenting manuscripts that I could quickly see a place for on current bookshelves. The line between junior fiction, middle-grade and young adult can be wobbly but reading widely across all age groups assists with finding the right place for a kidlit manuscript. Word counts matter, as does narrative clarity. 

With development in mind, I looked for stories displaying original ideas with a commercial edge and, most importantly, an assured and engaging voice.’ 

— Allison Tait 

Illustrated works (children’s picture books)

‘The submissions reflected a broad range of themes, including humorous rhyming stories and magical fairy tales, with some successfully blending narrative with non-fiction topics centred on flora and fauna. While the thematic diversity was encouraging, the strongest applications stood out for the clarity of their vision, the quality of their writing, and the care taken in presenting their projects. Some standout submissions demonstrated careful preparation and thoughtful development, while others would have benefited from additional time spent refining both their manuscripts and/or storyboards.’

— Marc Martin