Award-winning Fremantle Press novelist moves one step closer to Dobbie Literary Award

City of Fremantle T.A.G. Hungerford Award winner Madelaine Dickie is on the shortlist of the 2018 Dobbie Literary Award for her novel Troppo. The $5,000 award, which is part of the Nita B Kibble Literary Awards, recognises a first published work by an Australian woman writer.

Troppo is told from the perspective of Penny, a young Australian woman working and surfing in Sumatra, Indonesia. Dickie said, ‘Penny’s Sumatran experiences are quite different to those of her male contemporaries, and in some ways, as a woman, she faces even more challenges. It’s wonderful to receive recognition for this kind of story.’

‘Historically, female writers were often eclipsed by their male contemporaries. I’m thinking of the scorching journalism of Martha Gellhorn, or the brilliant beat poems of Diane di Prima. It’s a privilege to be part of an award that’s redressing the historical imbalance, that values and promotes women’s voices and women’s stories. And I am so excited to be shortlisted! From here, I’m going to strap myself to the rocket and enjoy the ride.’

The biennial Nita B Kibble Literary Awards aim to encourage Australian women writers to improve and advance literature for the benefit of the community. The winner will be announced on 25 July, with Dickie travelling from her home in Exmouth to be at the ceremony. More information about the award can be found on the trustee’s website: https://www.perpetual.com.au/kibble/

Madelaine Dickie won the 2014 City of Fremantle T.A.G. Hungerford Award and travelled to Tokyo, Japan, after securing a 2017 Asialink Arts residency. She is currently working on a new novel, a surf noir crime fiction thriller about two Aussie blokes who go missing on a surf drift through Mexico. Troppo is available in all good bookstores and online.