Regional writer nabs another longlisting

Fremantle Press author Jacqueline Wright was left ‘gobsmacked’ for the second time in a fortnight today after being longlisted for the 2013 Dobbie Literary Award. This comes just days after scoring a gong on the Miles Franklin longlist.

Ms Wright said she was surprised by the latest announcement but honoured to be considered in the same league as writers like Gail Jones.

‘You always dream about getting this kind of response and you entertain the tiny little wish in the pit of your stomach, hoping it will come true, but it is always such a shock when it happens,’ she said.

Ms Wright said the last two weeks had been ‘pretty crazy’.

‘It seems like a long time since the Miles Franklin longlist was announced but really it has only been two weeks.’

‘I am gradually settling down from all the excitement,’ she said.

Ms Wright said being longlisted for both awards has provided her with the incentive to keep writing her next book.

‘There is always a lot of pressure around writing the second novel, especially for me because I spent so long on the first one,’ said Wright.

The Dobbie Literary Award recognises Australian women writers’ first published work with a prize of $5000.

The award was designed to encourage Australian women writers to improve and advance Australian literature for the benefit of the community.

The judges will announce the shortlist on Wednesday 5 June, with the winner being announced on the 24 July.

For more information go to http://www.perpetual.com.au/kibble/index.htm or tweet your comments @Perpetual_Ltd or #KibbleAwards.

Red Dirt Talking by Jacqueline Wright is available online and from all good bookstores.