THE ANNUAL TEXT PRIZE FOR YOUNG ADULT & CHILDREN’S WRITING
Posted: Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
Awarded annually to the best manuscript written for young readers, the $10,000 Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing aims to discover incredible new books by exciting authors. The prize has unearthed extraordinary, multi-award-winning books and launched international publishing careers.
Since its inception in 2008, the Text Prize has become one of the most renowned prizes for young adult and children’s writing in Australia and New Zealand. The winner of the 2020 Text Prize was Andrew Paterson for his stand-out middle-grade debut novel, Rainfish, which will be published in August 2021.
Near the beginning of each year, published and unpublished writers of all ages are invited to submit works of fiction or non-fiction for young readers. The winner receives a publishing contract with Text and a $10,000 advance against royalties.
The Steph Bowe Mentorship for Young Writers
The Steph Bowe Mentorship for Young Writers is an initiative designed to nurture and encourage an exciting new writer in Australian children’s literature under the age of 25. It is awarded to the Text Prize entrant the judging panel believes would receive the most benefit from the mentorship.
The winner is paired with a middle grade or young adult author for a 20-hour mentorship over a period of 6–12 months. They also receive a 12-month membership with Express Media and complimentary issues of Voiceworks Magazine, as well as a 12-month membership to their state writers centre.
The mentorship is held in the memory of Steph Bowe, and to honour her longstanding commitment to fostering and mentoring young writers. Steph’s own first book was published when she was 16. She became a highly sought-after speaker, who encouraged young writers and travelled around the country to visit schools and festivals. Her books were longlisted for multiple awards and Night Swimming was named a Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book.
The mentorship is run in partnership with LoveOzYA, and is supported by Express Media and the National Writers’ Centre Network. It will run for a period of three years, starting in 2021.
How to Enter
Entries for the Text Prize and Steph Bowe Mentorship are open until 4 p.m. on Tuesday 6 April 2021.
This year, Text Prize submissions are entirely digital. In order to submit your manuscript, please follow these instructions:
1. Create an account with Text Publishing or log in to your existing account.
2. Click here to pay the $25 entry fee.
3. Complete the entry form (found here)
Please read the Conditions of Entry before submitting to the Prize. For more information, check out the full Q&A with Prize alumni and the FAQs.