Richell Prize 2017 Winner Announced!

From 579 entries, the judges of the 2017 Richell Prize for emerging writers managed to not only whittle it down to a short list, but they have announced the winner!

Sam Coley has won for his work in progress titled State Highway One.

According to the press release, this is what the judges had to say about Sam’s work:

“State Highway One is a captivating read that explores loss and what it really means to come home, reckoning with the past and the challenge of the future ahead while travelling the length of New Zealand along State Highway One. The sense of place and the slow breakdown of the lead character's mental and emotional state makes for a truly gripping read. Sam’s writing feels fresh and modern and is bursting with both heart and humour.”

Well done, Sam! Sam will receive not only $10,000, but also mentoring from a Hachette publisher to help him on the path to publication.

Our Australian Writers' Centre So you want to be a writer podcast community member, Michelle Barraclough also has some exciting news thanks to the Richell Prize.

For the first time in the prize’s history, the judges gave a Highly Commended award to Michelle for her piece As I Am. Michelle may have missed out on the cash prize, but she’ll receive 12 months mentoring to help develop her work to publication as well!

Congrats to Sam Coley and Michelle Barraclough. We can’t wait to see your finished works in bookstores.