A unique developmental award fostering talent in nonfiction writers under 30

Express Media and Deakin University have come together to facilitate this opportunity for young Australian writers.

The Nonfiction Prize for Young Writers was started as a joint venture between Scribe Publications and Express Media in 2013, and has since been a unique development award to foster talented writers aged 30 and under writing longform nonfiction. Deakin University and Express Media are thrilled to continue its legacy as the Catalyse Nonfiction Prize.

Entries of up to 3,000 words are welcome across all nonfiction genres, including memoir, journalism, essay, and creative nonfiction.

Previous winners and shotlistees have been offered generous cash prizes, exclusive Q&A sessions with some of Australia’s best nonfiction writers, editors and publishers, as well as a selection of new-release books from Monash University Publishing and UQP and editorial mentorship from industry experts.

Past winners and shortlisted writers have gone on to sign works as a direct result of the prize: Briohny Doyle (Adult Fantasy, 2017), Oliver Mol (Lion Attack!, 2015), Patrick Mullins (A Liberal View, 2018) and Lech Blaine (Car Crash, 2021).