THE ANNUAL TEXT PRIZE FOR YOUNG ADULT & CHILDREN’S WRITING

Awarded annually to the best manuscript written for young readers, the $10,000 Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing aims to discover incredible new books by exciting authors. The prize has unearthed extraordinary, multi-award-winning books and launched international publishing careers. 

Since its inception in 2008, the Text Prize has become one of the most renowned prizes for young adult and children’s writing in Australia and New Zealand. The 2021 Text Prize was awarded to Alice Boyle for her irresistible Young Adult debut novel, Dancing Barefoot, which will be published in September 2022.

Near the beginning of each year, published and unpublished writers of all ages are invited to submit works of fiction or non-fiction for young readers. The winner receives a publishing contract with Text and a $10,000 advance against royalties. 

The Steph Bowe Mentorship for Young Writers 

The Steph Bowe Mentorship for Young Writers is an initiative designed to nurture and encourage an exciting new writer in Australian children’s literature under the age of 25. It is awarded to the Text Prize entrant the judging panel believes would receive the most benefit from the mentorship.

The winner is paired with a middle grade or young adult author for a 20-hour mentorship over a period of 6–12 months. They also receive a 12-month membership with Express Media and complimentary issues of Voiceworks Magazine, as well as a 12-month membership to their state writers centre.

The mentorship is held in the memory of Steph Bowe, and to honour her longstanding commitment to fostering and mentoring young writers. Steph’s first book was published when she was 16. She became a highly sought-after speaker, who encouraged young writers and travelled around the country to visit schools and festivals. Her books were longlisted for multiple awards and Night Swimming was named a Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book.

The mentorship is an initiative from Text Publishing delivered in partnership with LoveOzYA. It is supported by Express Media and the National Writers’ Centre Network. It will run for three years, beginning in 2021.

How to Enter

Entries for the Text Prize and Steph Bowe Mentorship are open until 4 pm on Monday 21 February 2022.

Text Prize submissions are entirely digital. To submit your manuscript, please follow these instructions:

1. Click here to pay the $25 entry fee and save your order number when you check out. 
Your order number will contain the letter ‘R’ followed by 9 digits. (e.g. R123456789). If you can’t find your order number, it will be in the subject line of your order confirmation email.

2. Complete the entry form on this page. 

Please read the Conditions of Entry before submitting to the Prize. For more information, check out the full Q&A with Prize alumni and the FAQs. 

If you need assistance, please contact books@textpublishing.com.au or call 03 8610 4539 from 9–4, Monday to Friday.