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Hachette, EWF launch Richell Prize for emerging writers

Hachette Australia has launched a $10,000 prize for emerging writers in memory of former CEO Matt Richell, who died in a surfing accident in 2014.

The Richell Prize, which has been created in partnership with the Emerging Writers Festival (EWF) and the Guardian Australia, will ‘support and nurture an unpublished author aspiring to a professional writing career’.

The prize is open to writers of adult fiction and narrative nonfiction, with applicants required to submit the first three chapters and a synopsis of their proposed work. The winner will receive $10,000 and mentoring from a Hachette publisher to help develop the author’s manuscript for publication. The Guardian Australia will also publish an extract of the first chapter.  

In a statement Hachette said: ‘Matt Richell was a passionate advocate for writers and believed investment and support of new voices to be vital for the future of great literature. The Richell Prize has been established to continue Matt’s work in encouraging emerging writers in Australia.’

Entries open on 2 July, with the winner to be announced in October. For more information, visit the EWF website here.

 

Category: Local news