OPEN NOW: The Penguin Literary Prize 2019

The Penguin Literary Prize 2019 is now open for submissions.

Do you have an unpublished manuscript burning a hole in your proverbial drawer? 

The Penguin Literary Prize value is a whopping $20,000 with the winner also receiving a book every month for a year. Plus, winners have the potential to be published by Penguin Random House Australia.

What author could say no to that? 

So, who’s the prize aimed at? According to the media release:

Justin Ractliffe, Publishing Director of PRH Australia, “At Penguin Random House we champion emerging voices. The Penguin Literary Prize exemplifies our commitment to giving aspiring writers the opportunity to have their work discovered, nurtured and brought to booksellers and readers everywhere. It is always a thrill to see the sheer amount of talent out there and to discover brilliant new authors. I’m excited to see what this year’s submissions bring.”

So if you’re an emerging voice in Australia, this prize is for you!

Previous winners are Kathryn Hind, who published Hitch in 2019 and Imbi Neeme, whose novel The Spill will be published in 2020.

According to the media release, Neeme said:  

“As an emerging writer it means so much to me to have been read, considered and, ultimately, selected for this incredible prize. Following years of stealing whatever time I could to write… this prize acknowledges and legitimises my writing in an invaluable way.”

It’s only open for Australian residents 18 years old and above (sorry international readers!).

Entries opened on Tuesday 5 November 2019.  

Submissions close on Friday 13 December 2019.

Find out more and enter over on the Penguin website.