Fremantle Press and the Fogarty Foundation open $20,000 prize for young Western Australian writers
On your marks, get set, submit! The Fogarty Literary Award is now open for submissions.
From 25 March, Western Australian writers aged 18–35 will be able to submit their unpublished work of fiction, narrative non-fiction or young adult fiction to be in the running to win $20,000 and a publishing contract with Fremantle Press. Entries close 22 April.
The Fogarty Foundation has partnered with Fremantle Press to provide one of Australia’s richest literary prizes for young writers.
On behalf of the Fogarty Foundation, Executive Chairperson Annie Fogarty, AM, said she was excited to partner with Fremantle Press on an award dedicated to encouraging young West Australians to become the storytellers of tomorrow. Fogarty said, ‘The Fogarty Literary Award will celebrate and reward merit and originality while helping young writers embark on their writing careers. The Fogarty Foundation is proud to play its part in supporting a vibrant literary arts community in Western Australia.’
The Fogarty Foundation has committed to supporting the prize for the first six years in what will be the first and only award exclusively for young Western Australian writers. The Fogarty Literary Award will be judged by Fremantle Press publishers with the winner to be announced at a free community event in May 2019.
CEO Jane Fraser said Fremantle Press would be looking for young literary leaders, and that previously published authors who fit the age criteria would also be welcome to enter. Fraser said, ‘The Fogarty Foundation is known for its commitment to making sure all young people in Western Australia get a good education and they understand that literacy and storytelling are the cornerstones to lifelong learning. This partnership invests not only in the winning writer but also supports that writer to provide literary leadership through participation in educational and literacy events aimed at encouraging more young people to read and write.’
The winning manuscript will be scheduled for publication in 2020 with an education tour planned to coincide with the book’s release.
The Fogarty Foundation was established by Brett and Annie Fogarty in 2000 to support and provide educational and leadership opportunities for young people across the spectrum of the Western Australian community. As well as partnering with a range of organisations, the Foundation has initiated its own programs that include the UWA Fogarty Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships Program, CoderDojo WA and Fogarty EDvance.
More information and submission guidelines can be obtained here.