Fremantle Press author Amanda Curtin in the running for long-term writing accolade

Award-winning writer Amanda Curtin has been named one of five finalists in the prestigious Alice Literary Award. The Alice Award recognises an Australian woman who has made a long-term contribution to Australian literature.

Curtin said she was surprised and delighted to be nominated. ‘The Alice Award is unusual in recognising overall contribution to Australian literature rather than a single work. The four other shortlisted writers have long and impressive literary careers, and it’s a singular honour to find myself in their company.’

Vicki Bennet (Queensland), Sally Odgers (Tasmania), Jackie French (Victoria) and Patti Miller (NSW) are also finalists. The winner of the Alice Award will be announced at a presentation ceremony hosted by the Society of Women Writers Victoria on Friday 31 August.

Curtin is the author of novels Elemental (2013) and The Sinkings (2008), and short story collection Inherited (2011). Elemental was shortlisted for the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards, and in 2016 was published in the UK. Her award-winning short fiction has appeared in Griffith Review, Southerly, Island, Indigo, Westerly, Review of Australian Fiction and several anthologies. She has also worked as a book editor for many years.

Curtin’s latest book, Kathleen O’Connor of Paris, will be published this November by Fremantle Press. Part biography, part travel narrative, the book follows in the footsteps of an Australian artist who, with limited resources, carved out a career for herself in early twentieth century Paris.