Posted on
13 January 2025
The Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards are back for 2025 with a total prize pool of $120,000 and four new categories.
The new categories of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and young adult will showcase the work of more Western Australian authors and publishers.
Book of the Year, sponsored by Writing WA, will be a ‘winner of winners’ chosen from the winning category titles.
Each category awards a prize of $15,000:
- Emerging Western Australian Writer
- Children’s Book of the Year
- Young Adult Book of the Year
- Fiction Book of the Year
- Non-Fiction Book of the Year
- Poetry Book of the Year
- Book of the Year, sponsored by Writing WA
- Daisy Utemorrah Award for Unpublished Indigenous Junior and YA Fiction, sponsored by Magabala Books (open Australia-wide).
Entries are now open for books published or self-published in 2024. Entries close 20 February 2025. Find out how to enter.
Industry Review
In 2024, the State Library conducted an industry review to ensure the awards are best promoting and supporting WA writing. More than 240 survey responses were received.
The writing sector was clear in its feedback that more award categories were essential to recognise and support the State’s literary talent and creative output. This change has been implemented for 2025.
The Western Australian Writer’s Fellowship will no longer be awarded. This prize money has been reallocated to the four new categories. Writers seeking funding for development of new work are encouraged to apply for project grant funding through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and fellowship opportunities available as part of Creative WA.
Judging Panel
The State Library is seeking readers with a wide range of backgrounds and experience to join the independent judging panel, including young people, regional or interstate residents, and people who are culturally and linguistically diverse.
The size of the judging panel has been increased to support the new categories. Judges receive an honorarium ($1,250) and should be available for judging from March to July 2025.
Prospective judges are invited to self-nominate by 10 February 2025. Apply now.
Discover more...
The State Library is proud to launch the 2025 Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards with a total prize pool of $120,000 and four new categories. Entries are now closed.
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