2025 Faber Writing Academy inaugural alumni award winners announced

Faber Writing Academy (FWA) has announced Rachel Bonnar and Lawrence Parmenter as the inaugural winners of the 2025 FWA Alumni Award.

In total, six graduates of FWA programs will win the opportunity to pitch their novels to UK literary agents, as well as the opportunity to have their work read by an Australian literary agent and an Allen & Unwin publisher. Bonnar won the award for the manuscript ‘Burning Down the House’, while Parmenter won for the ‘comic-literary’ novel ‘There He Goes, Again’.

Discussing Bonnar’s work, head judge and FWA manager Pip Smith said: ‘Her background in midwifery, and her lived experience of the bushfires, made me confident that this was a story she is knowledgeable about, and feels deeply. Reading her opening chapters made me want to put off work for the day!’

Of Parmenter’s manuscript, Smith said: ‘Lawrence’s lucid prose, gift for interiority, and polished, precise submission package made me confident that he’s more than ready for the UK industry day in coming weeks.’

‘While a number of the extracts submitted were beautifully written, what made Rachel’s and Lawrence’s submissions stand out were the clear hooks at the heart of their projects. Theirs are stories that snag their readers with a beguiling idea, and carry them, effortlessly, forwards,’ said Smith.

More information about the award can be found the FWA’s website.

Pictured [l–r]: Rachel Bonnar and Lawrence Parmenter.

Category: Awards Local news