The 2022 Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing is now open

Do you love writing for children or young adults? Seeking a publisher for your manuscript? Why not enter of the most renowned prizes for young adult and children’s writing in Australia and New Zealand! The 2022 Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing is now open, with a $10,000 prize on offer for an outstanding unpublished manuscript.

What’s it about?

According to the press release: “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. ”

Text Publishing also offers the Steph Bowe Mentorship for Young Writers. This mentorship is designed to nurture and encourage a writer under 25.

In 2021, we were so excited that some of our talented AWC alumni were shortlisted for the Prize! Jacqueline Mohr was recognised for her children’s story The Curious Case of the Cocoa Bean. She’s completed several courses at AWC including How to Write for Children and Young Adults. And Emilie Morscheck was shortlisted for her compelling YA novel, These Cursed Waters. Emilie is one of our Novel Writing Essentials course graduates and has authored a number of published short stories. This year, it could be YOU.

What are the entry requirements?

Published and unpublished writers of all ages are invited to submit works of fiction or non-fiction for young readers. Entrants must also be living citizens or residents of Australia or New Zealand. Graphic novels are eligible if they are intended for a readership aged eight years and over.

The Steph Bowe Mentorship for Young Writers is only open to those who opt-in and who are also under 25 years old at the time of entry. 

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE: Monday 21 February 2022.

The winner will be announced in mid-2022 and will receive a publishing contract with Text and a $10,000 advance against royalties.

To find out more information and details on how to submit, visit the Text Publishing website.