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Queensland Literary Awards

Queensland Literary Awards

The Queensland Literary Awards showcase outstanding authors from across Australia.

Nominations now open

All categories are now open and close on 5pm AEST, Friday 14 April.

About the awards

The Queensland Literary Awards showcase outstanding authors from across Australia, celebrating emerging and established authors in a range of genres.

State Library of Queensland is proud to manage the awards in collaboration with sponsors, the literary community, and industry partners.

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2023 Queensland Literary Awards Terms and Conditions of Entry

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People browsing books at Queensland Literary Awards 2019

Published book awards

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Queensland Premier’s Award for a Work of State Significance

$25,000 awarded to a work focused on a Queensland story, or a work by a Queensland writer that has increased the profile of Queensland writing.

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The University of Queensland Fiction Book Award

$15,000 awarded to an outstanding work of fiction for adults by an Australian writer.

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The University of Queensland Non-Fiction Book Award

$15,000 awarded to an outstanding work of non-fiction for adults by an Australian writer.

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Griffith University Young Adult Book Award

$15,000 awarded to an outstanding work by an Australian writer suitable for young adults 13 to 19 years of age.

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Children’s Book Award

$15,000 awarded to an outstanding work by an Australian writer suitable for children up to 12 years of age.

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University of Southern Queensland Steele Rudd Award for a Short Story Collection

$15,000 awarded to an outstanding collection of short stories by an Australian writer.

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Judith Wright Calanthe Award for a Poetry Collection

$15,000 awarded to an outstanding published collection of poetry by an Australian writer.

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The Courier-Mail People’s Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award

$10,000 awarded to an outstanding book by a Queensland author as voted by the public.

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Development awards

Queensland Writers Fellowships

$15,000 plus $4,500 career development awarded to 3 Queensland authors to advance a writing project over a 12-month period.

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David Unaipon Award for an Emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Writer

$15,000 plus manuscript development and publication awarded for an unpublished manuscript by an emerging First Nations writer.

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Glendower Award for an Emerging Queensland Writer

$15,000 plus manuscript development and publication awarded for an unpublished manuscript by an emerging Queensland writer.

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Queensland Premier’s Young Publishers and Writers Awards

$10,000 plus $2,500 career development awarded to 2 Queensland writers and/or publishers up to 30 years of age.

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More information

Nomination FAQs

Find answers to common questions about nominating for the 2023 Queensland Literary Awards.

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Judging process

Get to know the judges and judging process.

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History of the awards

Discover past Queensland Literary Award winners and finalists.

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Past fellowship winners

Learn about authors who have produced work as a Queensland Writers Fellow.

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Contact us

If you have any questions about the awards, phone us on 07 3842 9321 or email qla@slq.qld.gov.au.

Help support writers

The Queensland Literary Awards are supported by the Library Foundation. Be part of the celebration of literature and help nurture Australian writers.

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Major partners

Category sponsors

Principal benefactors

Glendower Award for an Emerging Queensland Writer is supported by Jenny Summerson through the Queensland Library Foundation.

Children's Book Award is supported by Susan Hocking and Ian Mackie, and their family, through The Hocking Mackie Trust at APS Foundation.

The Queensland Writers Fellowships are supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and State Library of Queensland.

Supporters