UQP announces mentorship prize for under-represented writers shortlist

The University of Queensland Press (UQP) has announced the shortlist for its inaugural mentorship prize for under-represented writers, which was initially announced in May.

The shortlisted writers are:

• Carielyn Tunion for “Nightjaws” (fiction)
• Cat Yen for “Heart Constellations” (nonfiction)
• Daniel Ray for “Cusp” (fiction)
• SD Munawara for “Those Who Believe” (fiction)
• Suri Matondkar for “Tongue: Essays on Language, Identity and Being an International Student in Australia” (nonfiction).

Winners will receive $5000, a residency at UQP’s office with accommodation and travel costs, in-person sessions with a writing mentor, editorial mentoring with a UQP editor, and professional development with UQP staff on marketing, publicity, rights and sales. The winning manuscripts will be considered by UQP with an option to publish the work.

Judged included author Siang Lu, author, journalist and academic Sarah Malik and UQP publishing director Madonna Duffy.

Of the shortlisted works, the judges said, “We were deeply impressed by the strength, quality and distinctiveness of the entries. So many diverse life experiences and imaginative stories were represented in the pool of over 200 entries.

“It was a challenge to arrive at a shortlist, as so many entries were deserving of broader and deeper attention. Congratulations to the five shortlisted writers; your work has shone brightly in a stellar first year of this prize.”

Two winners will be announced in November.

More information is available on the UQP website.

Category: Awards Local news