History of the prize

History

In 2005, John Marsden became the principal patron of Express Media, supporting an annual prize encouraging creative literary work by young people. The patronage of an internationally recognised author was invaluable in assisting Express Media to encourage and develop the creative skills of young writers, by significantly extending the reach and impact of our programs. The John Marsden Prize for Young Australian Writers was open to poets, short fiction writers and novelists under twenty-five, and judged by John Marsden. All prize winners were published in Voiceworks or on the Express Media website and shared in a $5500 prize pool.

In 2006 the prize evolved to acknowledge the variety of forms young people were writing in, as well as their diverse ages. This led to the creation of four new categories; Poetry Under 18s, Poetry 18-24, Short Story/First Chapter of a Novel Under 18s, Short Story/First Chapter of a Novel 18-24. Winning entries were announced in December and published in the summer issue of Voiceworks.

After many successful years championing and rewarding young writers and poets, in 2014 the John Marsden Prize for Young Australian Writers was renamed the John Marsden and Hachette Australia Prize. Hachette Australia came on as prize sponsors, allowing for the prize to broaden and continue its work igniting passion for creative writing and poetry in the minds of Australia’s young writers. 

Ten years after its inception, the John Marsden and Hachette Australia Prize became only open to secondary school aged students, which made it one of the biggest and most exciting prizes for young Australian writers. With the addition of a Creative Nonfiction category in 2016, alongside Poetry and Fiction, writers aged 12 to 18 were invited to participate in a workshop and a ‘Meet and Greet’ lunch with John Marsden during the Melbourne Writers Festival, the winners being announced in a special public event. 

In 2020, the prize was renamed the Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers, and will be announced at the 2020 National Young Writers Festival. It now works on a rolling model of mentors to increase the developmental opportunities for so many more writers. In 2020 the Mentor is Will Kostakis.

Present

The Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers is a prize for secondary school-aged people across Australia. The Prize recognises writing excellence in three categories: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction and Poetry. Entries can include writing for readers of any age.

The Prize is sponsored by Hachette Australia and administered by Express Media, Australia’s peak youth literary organisation. Shortlisted writers get the opportunity to receive mentorship from an established author. The 2020 Mentor is Will Kostakis.

For details of the current prizes and application process, see this page.

Winners

2019

Fiction – Hanqing Li

Nonfiction – Preethika Mathan

Poetry  – Quang Mai

2018

Fiction – Matilda Bolt

Nonfiction – Octavia Chandler

Poetry  – Niamh Brazil

2017

FictionRose Forrest

NonfictionAngela Chen

Poetry  – Maz Howard

2016

FictionAbigail Strangward 

NonfictionDarrelyn Nguyen

Poetry  – Charlotte Head

2015

Short Story Prize: 18 – 24 years oldMadeleine Streater

Short Story Prize: Under 18Zhi Wei Wang

Poetry Prize: 18 – 24 years old Phoebe Chen

Poetry Prize:  Under 18Zoe McDonald

2014

Short Story Prize: 18 – 24 years oldLaura Elizabeth Woollett

Short Story Prize: Under 18Sky Moore

Poetry Prize: 18 – 24 years oldJeremy Teow

Poetry Prize:  Under 18Eunice Andrada

2013

Short Story Prize: 18 – 24 years oldRhea Bhagat

Short Story Prize: Under 18Alessandra Solomon

Poetry Prize: 18 – 24 years oldJeremy Poxon

Poetry Prize:  Under 18Jinjin Tang

2012

Short Story Prize: 18 – 24 years oldEkaterina Tretiakova

Short Story Prize: Under 18Eliza Janssen

Poetry Prize: 18 – 24 years oldAnders Villani

Poetry Prize:  Under 18Maille Halloran Mackay

2011

Short Story Prize: 18 – 24 years oldMadeleine Griffeth

Short Story Prize: Under 18Eliza Claire Baker

Poetry Prize: 18 – 24 years oldAinslee Meredith

Poetry Prize:  Under 18Matthew Norman

2010

Short Story Prize: 18 – 24 years oldKirilee Barker

Short Story Prize: Under 18Raeden Richardson

Poetry Prize: 18 – 24 years old – Anders Villani

Poetry Prize:  Under 18 – Rory Burg

2009

Short Story Prize: 18 – 24 years old – Amelia Schmidt 

Short Story Prize: Under 18 – Danny Nicholls

Poetry Prize: 18 – 24 years old – Caitlin M Maling

Poetry Prize:  Under 18 – Scarlett McLean

2008

Short Story Prize: 18 – 24 years old – Bryce Woldgang Joiner

Short Story Prize: Under 18 – Jess Baikie

Poetry Prize: 18 – 24 years old – Owen Kirkby

Poetry Prize:  Under 18 – Dana Morrison

2007

Short Story Prize: 18 – 24 years old – Erin Kelly

Short Story Prize: Under 18 – Marley Berry-Pearce

Poetry Prize: 18 – 24 years old – Deborah Mischlewski

Poetry Prize:  Under 18 – Georgia Walters

2006

Short Story Prize: 18 – 24 years old – Bryce Woldgang Joiner

Short Story Prize: Under 18 – Thomas Croger

Poetry Prize: 18 – 24 years old – Chloe Wilson 

Poetry Prize:  Under 18 – Aksell Dadswell

2005

Short Story PrizeRuby Joy Murray

Poetry Prize Ella Holocombe