2010 NSW Premier's Literary Awards
Tue, 09/15/2009 - 13:09
2010 NSW Premier's Literary Awards
Nominations have opened for the 2010 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts Virginia Judge announced today.
“Authors and publishers have until Friday 16 October, 2009 to get their entries in for what is Australia’s richest set of State government literary awards,” Ms Judge said.
“The awards are worth $310,000 and recognise the very best Australian writers. Ten awards will be offered in 2010, with prizes ranging in value from $5,000 to $40,000.
“Prizes will be presented for published books across a range of categories including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children’s and young people’s literature, for plays that have been first produced over the last 12 months, and for scripts of film, radio and television programs.”
“As Minister for Citizenship I’m particularly interested in the Premier’s translation prize and the Community Relation Commission’s Literary Award both valued at $15,000 each.”
Ms Judge said the awards, which were established in 1979, are open to all Australian writers.
“Some of the past winners include famous names like Nam Le, Peter Carey, Joan London, Thomas Keneally, Ursula Dubosarsky and David Malouf,” Ms Judge said.
“As a keen reader I am proud to say that in Australia we have some of the finest writers in the world – across all genres.”
Ms Judge said the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards demonstrate the Government’s continuing commitment to promoting this homegrown talent.
“This year there was a total of 632 nominations received from a wide range of Australian publishers, both small and large. I expect an equally strong response for 2010,” she said.
“The Government is a dedicated to supporting writers through its funding of the statewide network of writers’ centres and the Sydney Writers’ Festival.”
Ms Judge said the closing date for nominations is Friday, 16 October, 2009. The winning authors will be announced during the Sydney Writers’ Festival in May 2010.
For information about applying including nomination forms and guidelines go to http://www.arts.nsw.gov.au, or http://www.pla.nsw.gov.au. Alternatively phone (02) 9228-5533 or email artsfunding@arts.nsw.gov.au