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

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Congratulations to the 2025 finalists!

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"Finding Billy Brown"

E.S. Crismani

Judges' comments:

Finding Billy Brown is a fast-paced, energetic and humorous novel with much originality. The historical arc set in 1931 is an absorbing element of the work that allows a glimpse into the competitive and brutal history of Aboriginal boxers in Australia. Narrated by AFL star Billy Brown, we discover how the past and future collide to shape his identity. Crismani explores masculinity, racial discrimination and the history of sporting culture in an engaging and fresh way.

Two navy blue pineapples on a yellow-gold background

"Eskos"

Vika Mana

Judges' comments:

Eskos, a collection named after the Meriam Mir word for the calling sound of wanpuns (geckos), is a striking collection of poetry from the Torres Strait Islander poet Vika Mana. The strength of voice, figurative play of language and admiration for family and culture shines through each poem. The judges were notably impressed by the strong multi-lingual element and thematical cohension, especially poems centred around climate change, history, belonging and home.

"Neurodiverging Into [He]ARTS"

BS Windon

Judges' comments:

Neurodiverging Into [He]ARTS is a poetry collection that overflows with passion, intensity and playfulness with brutal honesty at its core. The judges admired its experimental form, style and voice that felt both fresh and fervent on the page. Windon explores themes of neurodiversity, mental health, social awareness, identity and inclusivity. This collection lays bare in an unapologetic and nonconformist way.

About the award

Part of the Queensland Literary Awards, the David Unaipon Award is for an outstanding unpublished manuscript by an emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writer.

Eligibility

All emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers are eligible, this includes those who:
- are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
- identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- are accepted as such by the communities in which they live or have lived or worked.
Writers who have published/self-published a book are not eligible to enter.
Entries must include a copy of a document that confirms Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This might be a letter of confirmation with a common seal from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander incorporated community organisation, or a confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage, or a statutory declaration form that is witnessed and signed appropriately.
Eligible writers encompass those who have never been published and those who have previously published individual works (short stories, poems, articles, or essays) in magazines, journals, anthologies, or newspapers, whether in print or online.
For co-authored manuscripts, all authors must meet the eligibility criteria.
Manuscripts can be in any literary category including novels, collections of short stories, collections of poems, works for children, biographies, autobiographies and memoirs, and general non-fiction.
Download the 2025 terms and conditions of entry document for full eligibility criteria.
Entry is free to this category.

Prize

$20,000 supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund, plus manuscript development and publication with University of Queensland Press.

2025 Queensland Literary Awards Terms and Conditions of Entry

PDF · 267 KB

Entries to the 2025 Queensland Literary Awards have now closed. Sign up to our mailing list to receive updates on the 2026 program.

As part of the terms and conditions for entry into this award, all shortlisted authors grant University of Queensland Press (UQP) first right of refusal to offer to publish their shortlisted work for an exclusive period of 12 weeks after the announcement.
This means that you must not send this manuscript to any publishers, submission calls for manuscripts, or competitions until after UQP has decided whether to offer a contract.