The Readings Young Adult Book Prize celebrates exciting emerging voices in Australian young adult literature. First and second published works of young adult fiction and memoir are eligible, and the Prize is awarded to the best new contribution to Australian young adult literature.

This Prize was established in 2016 as a way to raise awareness and sales of Australian young adult literature. It joins our two other Readings Prizes – The Readings Children’s Book Prize and The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction – which both began in 2014.

Our inaugural winner was Zana Fraillon for The Bone Sparrow, the story of a Rohingyar refugee born in a detention centre. You can read more about Fraillon’s critically acclaimed novel here.

The Readings Young Adult Book Prize in 2018

Each year, a shortlist of six titles is selected by a revolving panel of Readings staff. 2018 judges include Mike Shuttleworth (Hawthorn), Athina Clarke (Malvern), George Delaney (Kids) and Nina Kenwood (Marketing Manager). Once the shortlist has been decided, Melissa Keil will join the panel to select a winner.

Keil is the author of three novels for young adults, and the winner of numerous awards including the teens’ choice Gold Inky Awards. Her latest book is The Secret Science of Magic.

The 2018 shortlist will be announced in late May, with the winner to be decided by late July. The 2018 winner will receive prize money of $3,000.

Eligibility Guidelines for 2018

• The Readings Young Adult Book Prize is open to published works of young adult memoir and fiction.
• Young adult fiction may a novel, a novella, a verse novel or a collection of short stories by a single author.
• Young adult memoir may be original, or a young reader’s edition of an adult memoir.
• The author must be an Australian citizen or hold permanent residency at the time of entry.
• The book must be the author’s first or second published work of young adult fiction only. The author may have published books in other areas.
• Co-authored works will only be considered if all contributing authors fit our guidelines.
• Books published only in e-book form are not eligible to be entered.
• Self-published works are not eligible to be entered.
• Entries must be published in English.
• Authors must be living at the date of publication.
• To be eligible for the 2018 Prize, books must have been first published between Thursday 28 April 2017 and 27 April 2018.
• Authors who are employed by Readings during the judging period for each year are not eligible for the Prize. For the 2017 Prize round, this period is from Thursday 28 April 2017, through to Friday 28 July 2018.
• Authors who win the Readings Prize for Young Adult Fiction will no longer be eligible for this Prize in future years.

Entry Guidelines for 2018

There is no process for entering the Prize. The judging panel, comprised of experienced Readings’ staff, will decide on eligible titles and invite respective publishers to submit no more than three reading copies of the nominated book for Prize consideration throughout the eligibility period. Further copies may be requested if the book is shortlisted.

Enquiries

Enquiries should be directed to the Prize Manager Bronte Coates at bronte.coates@readings.com.au.

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