Member Loginmenu
Text Prize

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 2023 Text Prize was awarded to Lauren Crozier for her delightful middle grade fantasy novel, The Best Witch in Paris, which will be published in September 2024.

Near the beginning of each year, published and unpublished writers of all ages are invited to submit works of fiction or non-fiction for young readers.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. 

Please note that the Steph Bowe Mentorship was a three-year initiative and has now concluded. Text Publishing would like to thank the writers who generously agreed to act as mentors, and we wish the recipients every success with their writing careers.

The Text Prize is now closed for entries until early 2025.

Enquiries regarding the Prize should be sent to nikki.boltz@textpublishing.com.au

Text Prize Winners
    Let's Never Speak of This Again

    Let’s Never Speak of This Again

    Megan Williams
    Dancing Barefoot

    Dancing Barefoot

    Alice Boyle
    It Sounded Better in My Head

    It Sounded Better in My Head

    Nina Kenwood
    Rainfish

    Rainfish

    Andrew Paterson
    Loner

    Loner

    Georgina Young
    The Extremely Weird Thing that Happened in Huggabie Falls

    The Extremely Weird Thing that Happened in Huggabie Falls

    Adam Cece
    Beautiful Mess

    Beautiful Mess

    Claire Christian
    The Book of Whispers

    The Book of Whispers

    Kimberley Starr
    How to Be Happy

    How to Be Happy

    David Burton
    The Minnow

    The Minnow

    Diana Sweeney
    Zac & Mia

    Zac & Mia

    A. J. Betts
    Fire in the Sea

    Fire in the Sea

    Myke Bartlett
    The Billionaire's Curse

    The Billionaire’s Curse

    Richard Newsome
    The Bridge

    The Bridge

    Jane Higgins
    This Is Shyness

    This Is Shyness

    Leanne Hall