2021 Richell Prize for Emerging Writers longlist announced!
A HUGE congratulations to the shortlisted writers of this year’s Richell Prize.
The 2021 shortlist can be found here
The 2021 longlist can be found here
About the 2021 Richell Prize for Emerging Writers
Hachette Australia, along with the Richell family, is honoured to launch the Richell Prize for Emerging Writers for 2021, in partnership with the Emerging Writers’ Festival.
BE BRAVE, BE BOLD AND SUBMIT YOUR WORK
Now in its seventh year, the Richell Prize is again open to unpublished writers of adult fiction and adult narrative non-fiction.
To date, Hachette Australia has published or contracted eight authors who have been discovered through this annual prize, including Sally Abbott (2015 winner), Brodie Lancaster (2015 shortlist), Sam Coley (2017 winner), Julie Keys (2017 shortlist), Ruth McIver (2018 winner), Mandy Beaumont (2018 shortlist), Zoe Ghani (2018 shortlist) and Allee Richards (2019 shortlist).
‘The Richell Prize was developed seven years ago in memory of Matt Richell’s life and his great love of literature. It was designed with the sole purpose of helping an undiscovered writer with talent and ambition to tell a story. As a writer myself, I know how baffling the route to publication can sometimes seem, so if you’re working on something right now, have the drive to finish your manuscript and feel ready to share those first chapters with our panel, please do submit your work. We are actively looking for new Australian writers and want to set you on your path to a successful writing career.’– Hannah Richell, bestselling author of Secrets of the Tides, The Shadow Year, The Peacock Summer and The River Home
‘The Richell Prize is an important industry opportunity for emerging writers, and EWF is thrilled to be partnering with Hachette Australia once again. We’re so proud to be able to offer writers this invaluable mentorship and assist them on the path to publication. EWF can’t wait to see the gems this year’s prize unearths.’ – Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh, Artistic Director of the Emerging Writers’ Festival
Writers do not need to have a full manuscript at the time of submission, though they must intend to complete one. The winner will receive $10,000 in prize money from Hachette Australia, and a year’s mentoring with one of Hachette Australia’s publishers.
Hachette Australia will work with the winning writer to develop their manuscript, and has first option to consider the finished work, and the shortlisted entries, for publication.
‘Every year, I am impressed by the talent unearthed by the Richell Prize. We are very proud to give an opportunity for emerging writers to connect with a publisher and progress their work. This year, I would like to especially encourage non-fiction writers to back themselves and enter the prize.’ – Fiona Hazard, Hachette Australia Group Publishing Director
‘Putting your writing out there always feels incredibly vulnerable and I think it’s common for writers to be plagued by self-doubt. I constantly second guessed myself before submitting my manuscript, doubting that I’d be in with a chance. But my whole 2020 Richell experience – from making the longlist to winning the award – was extremely affirming and supportive. More than anything, winning the prize has given me a level of confidence in my writing that I’ve never felt before. The Richell Prize is a wonderful opportunity to have your work read by top people in the industry and an entry point to further developing your writing. I’d highly recommend to every emerging writer to take a chance and enter the competition.’ – Aisling Smith, 2020 Richell Prize-winning author of Petrichor.
‘When I started working on my novel, I had no idea if my manuscript had any potential. Being shortlisted for the Richell Prize gave me the confidence to finish the manuscript and introduced me to a team of people who genuinely care about my writing and my career.’ – Allee Richards, 2019 Richell Prize-shortlisted author of Small Joys of Real Life, publishing August 2021.
About the Richell Prize for Emerging Writers
The Prize is once again open to unpublished writers of adult fiction and adult narrative non-fiction. Writers do not need to have a full manuscript at the time of submission, though they must intend to complete one. The Prize will be judged on the first three chapters of the submitted work, along with a synopsis outlining the direction of the proposed work and detail about how the author’s writing career would benefit from winning the Prize.
The winner will receive $10,000 in prize money, to be donated by Hachette Australia, and a year’s mentoring with one of Hachette Australia’s publishers. Hachette Australia will work with the winning writer to develop their manuscript with first option to consider the finished work, and the shortlisted entries, for publication.
The prize is also supported by Simpson Solicitors and Joy.
The Richell Prize was established in memory of Hachette Australia’s CEO, Matt Richell, who died suddenly in 2014. The Prize is also supported by Simpson Solicitors in Matt’s memory.
How Will the Prize Be Judged?
The applications will be judged on three main criteria:
- •The writing – make sure that you are telling an original story that you have a burning desire to share.
- •The synopsis – give us a brief summary of the plot, major characters, themes and settings in the book and a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the rest of the book.
- •Tell us how winning the Prize will help you further your writing career.
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