Splatt awarded Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellowship

The Australian Publishers Association (APA) has announced Allen & Unwin editor Sophie Splatt as the recipient of the 2022–23 Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellowship (BDEF).

An editor of books for children and young adults, Splatt will travel to the US and Canada to meet with graphic novel publishers, editors, agents and creators for her research project ‘Graphic novels: Can we grow them at home?’

‘Graphic novels are experiencing an exponential rise in sales, representing untapped opportunities for Australian publishers wanting to champion local content,’ said the APA. ‘But do Australian editors understand how the language of graphic novels work? And do Australian publishers know how to capitalise on this fast-growing category?’ Splatt’s project will look at what Australian publishers can learn from their US counterparts about the editing and publishing of graphic novels.

Established in 1992, the biennial fellowship provides the opportunity for an Australian editor to develop their knowledge and expertise through an international research project. In 2023, it is worth up to $35,000, covering the successful editor’s professional, accommodation, travel and living expenses during the research trip and in delivering their findings.

Splatt’s research project was chosen by previous BDEF recipients and the APA’s editorial working group. Working group chair Meredith Curnow described Splatt’s graphic novel project proposal as ‘outstanding’, noting that Splatt has ‘a clear and clever plan to share with her Australian editorial peers all she learns in North America from those who write, illustrate, edit, publish and sell this market growth sector’.

The previous BDEF recipient was Radhiah Chowdhury, who used her 2019–20 fellowship to produce the report ‘It’s hard to be what you can’t see: Diversity within Australian publishing’.

Category: Awards Local news