Inside the Australian and New Zealand book industry

Image. Advertisement:

MacDonald wins $50,000 Best Australian Yarn

Monday, 27 November 2023   Books+Publishing
@booksandpublishing

Jacqueline MacDonald has won first prize, worth $50,000, in the national short story competition, The Best Australian Yarn.

MacDonald, from the Tasmanian seaside town of Penguin, won the award for the short story Split Life, which is described as ‘an eerie exploration of the potential of human cloning in politics,’ according to competition founder the West Australian.

Said prize jury judge, Upswell publisher Terri-ann White: ‘Split Life impressed me with its ambition and range and stood above the rest of the shortlisted stories. I look forward to seeing this writer flourish with the confidence that this recognition can enable.’

White was joined on the prize jury by authors, Robert Drewe and Holden Sheppard, Magabala publisher Rachel Bin Salleh and West Australian editor in chief Anthony De Ceglie. Judges had been ‘blown away by the quality of this year’s entries which are a testament to the enduring power of the written word,’ said De Ceglie.

The winners in each category were:

Overall ($50,000)

  • ‘Split Life’ by Jacqueline MacDonald (Tas)

Runner up ($3000)

  • ‘A Highway to Call Home’ by Sam Cecins (WA)

English as a Second Languag ($3000)

  • ‘Hero’ by Harold Legaspi (NSW)

First Nations Storytelling ($3000) 

  • ‘River Fish’ by Sharleigh Crittenden (NSW)

Regional Australia ($3000)

  • ‘The Expert’ by Rachel Van Nierop (WA)

GenWest Youth (12-14) ($1500)

  • ‘Orange Slices’ by Ruby Burke (NSW)

GenWest Youth (15-18) ($1500)

  • ‘School’s Out’ by Till O’Callaghan (WA)

Overall winner finalists ($1000 each)

  • ‘Dorothy’s To-Do List’ by Peter Byrne
  • ‘In Whose Hand’ by Susan Francis
  • ‘Kalabaw’ by Cal Guino
  • ‘The Pyrocene’ by Rebecca Higgie
  • ‘Dog Days’ for Keith Johnson
  • ‘Grey Paint’ by Josh Lowe
  • ‘The Culinarian’ by Cameron Rutherford
  • ‘Red Light Running’ by Lily Thomson.

Established by the West Australian, the prize attracted 5500 entries in 2023. The top 50 stories are published on the West Australian website.

The winners were announced on Friday 24 November at a ceremony at WA Museum Boola Bardip.

Pictured: Jacqueline MacDonald. 

 

Category: Awards Local news