Entries open in the Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015

Media release
18 May 2015
Entries open in the Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015
Addition of new award offers further opportunities to Victorian writers
Entries have opened today in one of Australia’s most prestigious literature prizes, the
Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015 and Awards, which, valued at more than $100,000, will
provide significant opportunities for reward and recognition for Victorian published writers
across all genres and career stages.
This year marks the 11th year of the annual Melbourne Prize, which runs in a three-year cycle
to benefit and demonstrate the importance of the vibrant creative sector in Victoria in
literature, music and urban sculpture.
An exciting new award, the $20,000 Writers Prize 2015, is offered to Victorian writers for an
essay - in addition five finalists will also receive $2,000 each. The prize and awards offered
this year are:
The $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015, which is awarded to a Victorian
published author whose body of published work has made an outstanding contribution to
Australian literature, as well as to cultural and intellectual life. The author’s work can include
all genres and forms for example, fiction, non-fiction, essays, plays, screenplays and poetry.
There is no age limit for this prize. The Prize is supported by Principal Partner, The Vera
Moore Foundation, and The Tallis Foundation.
The $30,000 Best Writing Award 2015 is awarded for a published work of outstanding
clarity, originality and creativity by a Victorian writer. The work can be any genre, for example
fiction, non-fiction, essays, plays, screenplays and poetry. There is no age limit for this award.
The recipient will also receive Qantas International air travel to the value of $2,500 (including
GST). This Award is supported by its sole patron, The Robert Salzer Foundation.
The $20,000 Writers Prize 2015 is a new category made available this year to continue the
th
10 anniversary celebrations of the annual Melbourne Prize. Entrants of the Writers Prize
2015 must be published authors and submit, by the close of entries, an essay of up to 20,000
words (minimum 10,000 words). The essay must include Melbourne, Victoria or Australia as
part of its subject. In addition, five finalists will receive $2,000 each. The submitted work will
be judged on its literary merit and creative freshness. The Prize is supported by the
Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund.
The 2015 judges comprise some of Australia’s most respected literary identities, including
Lisa Dempster, Artistic Director & CEO of the Melbourne Writers Festival, Mark Rubbo
OAM, Managing Director of Readings, Michael Williams, Director of The Wheeler Centre,
and writers Helen Garner and Craig Sherborne.
The $6,000 Civic Choice Award 2015 will be presented to one of the finalists, in either
category, based on a popular vote, following the announcement of all finalists on September
2nd and at the finalist exhibition at Federation Square. This Award is supported by
Readings and Hardie Grant Books. Voters will have a chance to win an overnight stay at
Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, Melbourne's hotel for the arts.
A Residency, supported by The University of Melbourne, will be awarded to a category
winner.
Entry forms are available at www.melbourneprize.org. Entries can be made by the individual
artist or by nomination. Entries close on 20 June 2015.
Melbourne Prize Trust Executive Director, Mr Simon Warrender, said he is delighted to be
offering the Prize and Awards again after a successful 10th anniversary year in 2014.
"The 2015 Prize and Awards continue our commitment to promote and develop our literary
sector. This year has been made possible by the generous participation of our 2015 partners
and patrons,” Mr Warrender said.
“We are grateful for the generous support of all our partners, who share our objective to
promote Melbourne and Victoria’s reputation as a centre of opportunity for writers,” Mr.
Warrender concluded.
Melbourne is one of the world’s most celebrated literary cities and the Prize supports
Melbourne's status as a UNESCO International City of Literature by demonstrating the
importance of literature in our community and the central role writers play in our cultural life.
The Victorian Government, through Creative Victoria, and the City of Melbourne are the
Government Partners this year. Other partners include identity and design by Cornwell, The
Faculty of the VCA and MCA, and founding supporter The Committee for Melbourne.
A free public exhibition of finalists in each category will be held at Federation Square from 9
to 23 November 2015. The exhibition will provide exposure for writers and showcase a broad
range of literary excellence to the public.
Federation Square reflects and cultivates Melbourne's pre-eminence as a centre for creativity
and innovation. The team at Federation Square is dedicated to working with artists and
creative practitioners to create provocative works that respond specifically to the unique
physical and social environment that is Melbourne's meeting place.
Federation Square is the exhibition and events partner and 'home' of the annual Melbourne
Prize. This long-term partnership makes it possible for the public, visiting the free public
exhibition each November, to engage with abundant talent in literature, music and (urban)
sculpture. It provides artists with public exposure in one of the country's most visited public
spaces. The Melbourne Prize Trust appreciates Federation Square's generous support, which
enhances our creative resources and provides opportunities to promote our abundant artistic
talent through the annual Melbourne Prize.
Past recipients of the Melbourne Prize for Literature
2012 - Alex Miller
2009 - Gerald Murnane
2006 - Helen Garner
Past recipients of the Best Writing Award
2012 - Craig Sherborne, The Amateur Science of Love (Text, 2011)
2009 - Nam Le, The Boat (Penguin, 2008)
2006 - Christos Tsiolkas, Dead Europe (Random House, 2006)
Past recipients of the Civic Choice Award
2012 - Tony Birch, Blood (UQP, 2011)
2009 - Amra Pajalic, The Good Daughter (Text, 2009)
2006 - Henry von Doussa, The Park Bench (Thompson Walker, 2006)
Since inception in 2005, the annual Melbourne Prize has contributed more than $1 million to
Victoria writers, musicians and sculptors, plus overseas travel, residencies and an annual free
public exhibition at Federation Square.
--- Ends --TWITTER: @Melbourne_Prize
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melbourne-Prize/165519083499496
Interviews with Melbourne Prize Trust Executive Director, Simon Warrender are available
upon request. For more information, please visit www.melbourneprize.org or contact:
Tony Faccenda
Royce Communications
T: 03 8628 9300
M: 0411231433
Notes to the editor:
Key dates:
Entries open 18 May 2015
Entries close 20 June 2015
Finalists announced 2 September 2015
th
rd
Finalists’ work exhibited at Federation Square Monday 9 to Monday 23 November 2015
Winners announced 11 November 2015
Civic Choice Award recipient announced 27 November 2015
All announcement and information will be available at www.melbourneprize.org
Notes to the editor:
The annual Melbourne Prize is one of the most valuable prize of its kind in Australia
and runs in a three-year cycle, which includes the Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture
(2014), the Melbourne Prize for Music (2015), and the Melbourne Prize for Literature
(2016).
Since inception the annual Melbourne Prize has made available more than $1,000,000
in prizes and award, artist residencies, equipment/instrument grants and an annual
public exhibition at Federation Square to Victorian writers, sculptors and musicians.
The annual Melbourne Prize alumni
2005 to 2014
Melbourne
for Urban
Sculpture 2014
Geoff Robinson
Professional
Development
Award 2014
Kay Abude
Civic Choice
Award 2014
Kay Abude
Melbourne
Prize for
Music 2010
Melbourne
Prize for Urban
Sculpture 2011
David Jones
Bianca Hester
Outstanding
Musicians
Award 2010
Professional
Development
Award 2011
Ben Northey
Isaac Greener &
Lucas Maddock
Development
Award 2010
Civic Choice
Award 2011
Civic Choice
Award 2012
Natalie Bartsch
Isaac Greener &
Lucas Maddock
Tony Birch
Melbourne
Prize for
Literature
2009
Gerald
Murnane
Best
Writing
Award
2009
Nam Le
Civic
Choice
Award
2009
Amra
Pajalic
Melbourne
Prize for
Urban
Sculpture
2008
Alexander
Knox
Professional
Development
Award 2008
Tom
Nicholson
VicUrban
Award 2008
Louise
Paramor
Civic Choice
Award 2008
Elaine Miles
Melbourne Prize
for Literature 2012
Melbourne Prize
for Music 2013
Alex Miller
Brett Dean
Best Writing
Award 2012
Outstanding Musicians
Award 2013
Craig Sherborne
Stephen Magnusson
Melbourne
Prize for
Music 2007
Paul
Grabowski
Outstanding
Musicians
Award 2007
Genevieve
Lacey
Development
Award 2007
Julian
Langdon
Development Award 2013
Kate Kelsey-Sugg
Civic Choice Award 2013
Mick Harvey
Melbourne
Prize for
Literature
2006
Helen
Garner
Best
Writing
Award
2006
Christos
Tsiolkas
Civic
Choice
Award
2006
Henry von
Doussa
Melbourne
Prize for
Urban
Sculpture
2005
Open Spatial
Workshop
Professional
Development
Award 2005
Karen
Abernethy
Civic Choice
Award 2005
Matthew de
Moiser
2015 Partners and Patrons
Melbourne
Prize for
Literature
2015
Melbourne Prize
for Literature 2015
Entries Open
18 May — 20 July 2015
Best Writing
Award 2015
Entry Form
Writers Prize
2015
Finalist Exhibition
Federation Square
9 — 23 November 2015
melbourneprize.org
Civic Choice
Award 2015
A Message from the Executive Director & Founder
of the Melbourne Prize Trust
The Melbourne Prize Trust is pleased to release
the entry form for the Melbourne Prize for
Literature 2015 and Awards, which include
the Best Writing Award 2015, the Civic Choice
Award 2015, plus the new category to continue
our 10th anniversary celebration – the Writers
Prize 2015. A residency at The University of
Melbourne will be offered, along with Qantas
international air travel, provided to the recipient
of the Best Writing Award 2015.
This document provides all the information
required for entry, including key dates, general
entry information and the entry form.
To showcase the work of the finalists
and enable the public to engage with the
abundant literary talent in Victoria, the finalists
in each category will be exhibited at Federation
Square, the exhibition and event partner,
between 9 and 23 November 2015.
After the finalists are announced, the public
will have an opportunity to vote for their
favourite finalist to win the $6,000 Civic Choice Award 2015.
We are proud to have the Victorian Government,
through Creative Victoria, and the City of
Melbourne as partners. Melbourne is a UNESCO
international City of Literature, which recognises
the importance of literature to the city and state,
and the central role that writers have played,
and continue to play, in the cultural life of
our community.
The Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015 and
Awards are some of the most valuable prizes
of their kind in Australia. We proudly support
Melbourne’s status as a UNESCO City of
Literature and look forward to demonstrating
the importance of literature in our community
and providing opportunities for writers.
The Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015
and Awards are made possible this year
through the generous support of our partners
and patrons – thank you one and all for the
valuable community investment in literature.
Thank you to the literary sector and the many
organisations, publications and websites
who have generously helped the Trust raise
awareness of our 2015 program.
Please call the Melbourne Prize Trust
on (03) 9696 4410 for further information.
The entry form is also available at
melbourneprize.org.
For further information on the annual Melbourne
Prize please visit melbourneprize.org
Simon H Warrender
Executive Director & Founder
Melbourne Prize Trust
Melbourne
Prize for
Literature
2015
Entry Form & Information
melbourneprize.org
Prizes & Awards
Melbourne Prize
for Literature 2015
$60,000
Supported by The Vera Moore
Foundation and The Tallis
Foundation.
The Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015 is
for a Victorian author whose body of published
work has made an outstanding contribution
to Australian literature and to cultural and
intellectual life.
The author’s work can include all genres,
for example, fiction, non-fiction, essays, plays,
screenplays and poetry. There is no age limit
for this Prize.
What you need to know to enter this Prize.
Authors can apply for this Prize in their own right
or be nominated by publishers, agents or private
individuals.
Entrants must be commercially published
authors.
A separate entry form and fee MUST be provided
for EACH application or nomination. Please refer
to the tear-off entry form.
All work entered in this Prize must have been
published by the closing date of entries on
20 July 2015.
This Prize will be given to a single author.
No group entries are permitted.
A shortlist of up to five (5) finalists will
be announced on 2 September 2015 at
melbourneprize.org and displayed at the
Federation Square finalist exhibition.
The recipient of this Prize will be announced
to the media and on the Prize website on
11 November 2015.
Entry material required for this category
Entrants must provide six (6) stapled A4
copies of the following support material:
A resume, including a summary of the author’s
published work – maximum 2 x A4 pages.
A proposal of how the Prize funds would be used
to benefit the career of the author. A detailed
budget is NOT required – maximum 1 x A4 page.
Where an entry is by nomination, a
commendation of the author must be provided
by the nominator – maximum 1 x A4 page.
Please note that copies of published work
are NOT required for this category.
Best Writing Award 2015
$30,000
Supported by its sole patron,
The Robert Salzer Foundation.
The Best Writing Award 2015 is for a published
work of outstanding clarity, originality and
creativity by a Victorian writer.
The work can be any genre for example, fiction,
non-fiction, essays, plays, screenplays and
poetry. There is no age limit for this award.
The recipient of this Award will also receive
Qantas International air travel to the value of
$2,500 (including GST).
What you need to know to enter this Award.
Authors can apply for this Award in their own
right or be nominated by publishers, agents
or private individuals.
Entrants must be commercially published
authors.
A separate entry form and fee MUST be provided
for EACH additional application or nomination.
Please refer to the tear-off entry form.
The entered work in this Award must have
been published between 16 July 2012 and
20 July 2015.
Only ONE published work per author may
be entered or nominated for this Award.
A shortlist of up to ten (10) finalists
will be announced on 2 September 2015
at melbourneprize.org and displayed
at the Federation Square finalist exhibition.
The recipient will be announced to the media
and on the Prize website on 11 November 2015.
Entry material required for this category
Please include six (6) copies
of the submitted published work
with the support material below.
Entrants must provide six (6) stapled A4
copies of the following support material:
A description of the author’s inspiration,
research or background for the submitted
work – maximum 1 x A4 page.
A proposal of how the Award funds would
be used to benefit the career of the author.
A detailed budget is NOT required – maximum
1 x A4 page.
Writers Prize 2015
$20,000
(PLUS $2,000 to each
of five finalists)
Supported by the Copyright
Agency’s Cultural Fund.
The Writers Prize 2015 is a new category
made available this year to continue the
10th anniversary celebrations of the annual
Melbourne Prize.
Entrants to the Writers Prize 2015 must submit,
by the close of entries (20 July 2015) an essay
of up to 20,000 words (minimum 10,000 words)
The essay must include Melbourne,
Victoria or Australia as part of its subject.
What you need to know to enter this Award.
Entrants must be commercially
published authors.
Five (5) finalists will be selected by the judges,
who will be announced on 2 September.
$2,000 (including GST) will be awarded
to each of the five (5) finalists.
The winning work will be selected by the
judges, from the five finalists, and announced
to the media and on the Prize website on
11 November 2015.
The winning author will receive the Writers
Prize 2015, valued at $20,000.
Submitted work in this Prize must not
have been commercially published.
The submitted work may be entered by
publishers, agents or private individuals.
Entry material required for this category
Six (6) stapled and clearly labelled copies
of the submitted work.
A resume and list of published works
– maximum 2 x A4 pages.
Civic Choice Award 2015
$6,000
Supported by Readings
and Hardie Grant Books
A public exhibition of the finalists in the
Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015, the Best
Writing Award 2015 and the Writers Prize 2015
will be held at Federation Square between
9 and 23 November 2015.
This Award will be given to the finalist with the
highest number of public votes. Votes can be
made using the online voting form, available at
melbourneprize.org from the announcement
of finalists on 2 September to the close of the
Federation Square exhibition on 23 November.
A voting form will also be available in the free
catalogue, available during the November
exhibition. The announcement of the winner
of the Civic Choice Award 2015 will be made
on 27 November 2015 at melbourneprize.org
Residency
Supported by The University
of Melbourne
A residency at the School of Culture and
Communication, The University of Melbourne
will be awarded, at the discretion of the judges,
to either the recipient of the Melbourne Prize
for Literature 2015, the Best Writing Award 2015
or the Writers Prize 2015. Details of the residency
will be decided between the recipient and
The University of Melbourne following
the announcement.
The submitted work will be judged on its literary
merit and creative freshness.
Key Dates
Entries Open
18 May 2015
2015 Finalists Announced
2 September 2015
Winners Announced
11 November 2015
Entries Close
20 July 2015
Finalist Exhibition
9 to 23 November 2015
Announcement of Civic Choice Award 2015
27 November 2015
Melbourne
Prize for
Literature
2015
Entry Form & Information
melbourneprize.org
Judges
Lisa Dempster
Artistic Director & CEO
Melbourne Writers Festival
Mark Rubbo OAM
Managing Director
Readings Books Music and Film
Michael Williams
Director
The Wheeler Centre
Helen Garner
Writer
Craig Sherborne
Writer
All announcements will be made
at melbourneprize.org
• Entrants in all categories must be commercially
•The decisions of the judges will be final and
•Work submitted for both categories
• Authors in all categories must be an Australian
•The Melbourne Prize Trust reserves the right
Eligibility
published authors.
citizen or Australian permanent resident, and
resident of the State of Victoria.
no correspondence shall be entered into.
must be by a living writer.
not to allocate the prize and award categories.
How to Enter
1. Choose the category
(more than one category may be entered)
Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015
Please provide the PayPal receipt number where
indicated on the entry form, print the receipt and
include it with entry material.
Australia Post money order made out
to the Melbourne Prize Trust.
Best Writing Award 2015
Writers Prize 2015
2. Tear off and complete the entry form on
the side of this document and attach the
$45 (incl. GST) entry fee, where indicated.
The entry fee may be paid using the
following methods:
Personal cheque made out
to the Melbourne Prize Trust.
Online using PayPal – to pay using this method
visit melbourneprize.org/pay
A separate entry form and fee MUST be provided
for EACH application or nomination. Receipts for
entry fees will be issued by email.
3. Provide six (6) copies of the entry material
required for the category entered.
4. Securely attach the completed entry form,
with the entry fee, to the entry material and
enclose in an envelope addressed to:
Melbourne Prize Trust
Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015
234 St Kilda Road
Southbank VIC 3006
5. Mail or hand delivered entries.
All mailed entries must be received by the
Melbourne Prize Trust, at the address provided
in this section, by 5pm sharp on 20 July 2015.
All hand delivered entries must be deposited
by 5pm sharp on 20 July 2015 in the dedicated
mailbox marked ‘Melbourne Prize for Literature
2015 applications’, located on the ground floor
of the Victorian College of the Arts, School of
Contemporary Music, Building 862, 234 St Kilda
Road Southbank VIC 3006.
Late entries will NOT be accepted.
Emailed or faxed entries are NOT permitted.
Please contact the Melbourne Prize Trust
on (03) 9696 4410 for information
General Entry Information
•Entry in all categories can be made by the
author in their own right, or by nomination
by publishers, agents or private individuals.
• More than one category may be entered.
A separate entry MUST be completed
for EACH prize and award application
or nomination. This entry form is available
at melbourneprize.org
•All entries and material will be handled in
• All communication, including acknowledgment
of entries and the entry fee receipt, will be
via the email address provided in the entry
form. Where an email address is not provided,
correspondence will be sent to the mailing
address provided.
•The work of the applying or nominated
•Copyright stays with the author of the
•Work that has only been published
•All entrants, or entries via nomination, warrant
author must be the author’s original work.
on the internet is not eligible for entry.
be in English.
•Please provide all information requested on
the entry form. If the entry process has not
been adhered to, the Melbourne Prize Trust
reserves the right not to accept an entry.
•Prize and Award recipients should seek
professional advice regarding their GST
and tax obligations.
•Entrants must notify the Trust of any
conflicts of interest of the 2015 judges,
partners or patrons.
entered work.
they do not violate the copyright of others’
work or seek to defame the character of any
individual or group.
•All work entered in any category must
associated with the 2015 competition.
At all times, prior consultation will be
undertaken with the finalists and winners
to use their information.
accordance with current privacy legislation.
•Where there is a conflict of interest,
•The Melbourne Prize Trust reserves the right to
use entry information, where applicable, for the
purposes of making announcements, media
activity or promotions, also via the internet,
eligibility issue, or information request
that has not been fulfilled, or in such other
circumstances as the judges determine in
the judging process, the Trust reserves the
right not to accept an entry or allocate the
Prize or Awards. The entrant will be notified
prior to the announcements and the entry
material returned.
Thank you to our 2015 Partners and Patrons
Principal Patron
Founding Partners
Patrons
Melbourne Prize for Literature
2015 Partners
Best Writing Award
2015 Patron
Professional Services
Media Communications
Banners
Broadcast Partner
Civic Choice Award
2015 Partners
Exhibition Consultant
Print Partners
Corporate Partners
Government Partners
IT Services
Exhibition Signage & AV
Wine Partner
Exhibition & Event Partner
Associate
Writers Prize 2015 Partner
Residency
Trophies
Melbourne
Prize for
Literature
2015
Entry Form
<Please staple Entry Fee here>
Please tick the entered category below – more than one category may be entered.
Complete the entry form, attach the entry fee and include this with the support material.
Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015
Best Writing Award 2015
Writers Prize 2015
APPLICANT AUTHOR
(to be completed by all entrants) – PLEASE PRINT
First Name
Last Name
Address
Postcode
MobileEmail
NOMINATOR
(to be completed where an author is entered by nomination) – PLEASE PRINT
Name of Nominator
Publisher (where applicable)
Address
Postcode
PhoneEmail
Please refer to the information opposite
Please read and sign the Declaration, provide the Best Writing Award 2015
entered work title and publication date (where applicable), review the
Entry Checklist and complete the Entry Fee Payment Options.
Declaration
Best Writing Award 2015 – Entered Work
To be completed by ALL applicants or nominators.
Please provide the title and publication date of the entered work.
In signing this entry form, the author or nominator certifies that:
Title of entered work
•They have read and comply with the requirements and information
Date published
•They (the author, where nominated) comply with the eligibility and are
Entry Checklist
•They accept as final the decision of the judges
Please ensure the following items are enclosed in a single envelope and
mailed or hand delivered to the Melbourne Prize Trust by 5.00pm sharp
on 20 July 2015. Late, emailed or faxed entries will NOT be accepted.
provided in the entry form
an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident and resident
of the State of Victoria
•They agree to be contacted in relation to this entry
/
/
(Between 16 July 2012 & 20 July 2015)
•They certify that submitted work is the work of the original author
1.A fully completed entry form and signed Declaration, along with attached
entry fee of $45 (inc. GST).
•For the Best Writing Award 2015, the work is published between
2. Six (6) copies of ALL required support material for the chosen category.
16 July 2012 and 20 July 2015
Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015
Signed
Date
/
/ 2015
•A resume and summary of the author’s published work.
•A proposal of how the Prize will be used.
Entry Fee Payment Options
•A commendation by the nominator (where applicable).
Please tick one (1) box to indicate the choice of payment method
for the $45 (inc. GST) entry fee.
Best Writing Award 2015
Personal cheque made payable to the Melbourne Prize Trust
Australia Post Money Order made payable to the Melbourne Prize Trust
Online using PayPal —please provide the PayPal receipt number
below, print off the receipt and include this with your entry material
PayPal Receipt no.
•Six (6) copies of the submitted published work.
•The author’s inspiration or research for the submitted work.
•A proposal of how the Award will be used.
Writers Prize 2015
•Six (6) stapled copies of the written work.
•A resume and list of published works.