Meet the guest judges for the Readings Prizes in 2019
We’re delighted to reveal our three guest judges for the Readings Prizes in 2019.
Readings runs three annual literary prizes that support emerging Australian authors: The Readings Children’s Book Prize, The Readings Young Adult Book Prize and The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction.
Every year, a shortlist of six titles is selected for each prize by a revolving panel of Readings staff. Once the shortlist has been decided, a guest judge then joins the panel to select a winner. The winning author of all three prizes will each receive prize money of $3000.
Here are our three guest judges for this year…
The Readings Children’s Book Prize
The Readings Children’s Book Prize recognises the best new Australian books written for children aged 5 to 12. The Prize is awarded to the book which we believe children will love best.
Our guest judge for 2019 is Zana Fraillon. She is a passionate advocate for human rights and often explores such themes in her books for children and teens. In 2018, she won the Amnesty CILIP Honour award for her novel, The Bone Sparrow. Her latest work is the picture book Wisp.
Key Dates:
Shortlist announced in late February
Winner announced in late April
Find out more about the Prize here
The Readings Young Adult Book Prize
The Readings Young Adult Book Prize recognises exciting emerging voices in Australian young adult literature. The Prize is awarded to the best new contribution to Australian young adult literature.
Our guest judge for 2019 is Cath Crowley. She is the much-loved and multi-award-winning author of several books for teens. Her latest book is Take Three Girls, which she co-wrote with fellow YA luminaries Fiona Wood and Simmone Howell.
Key Dates:
Shortlist announced in late May
Winner announced in late July
Find out more about the Prize here
The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction
The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction recognises exceptional new contributions to Australian literature. The Prize is awarded to the work of highest literary merit.
Our guest judge for 2019 is Jennifer Down. Down is the author of two critically acclaimed fiction books – the novel Our Magic Hour, and the story collection Pulse Points, which won this prize in 2018.
Key Dates:
Shortlist announced in late August
Winner announced in late October
