ABC Fiction Award (2005-2009)
Subcategory of Awards Australian Awards
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History

'The ABC Fiction Award was an Australian literary award presented annually to the best, original, unpublished, adult fiction manuscript, written by an Australian resident over the age of 18. It was launched in 2005. The aim of the award was "to encourage emerging writers, contribute to Australian literary culture, and fulfil the ABC's charter by reflecting the diversity of the Australian community and adding to a sense of national identity".[1] The award was supported by ABC Local Radio and ABC TV.

'The prize was a A$10,000 advance and publication through ABC Books. The winning book was also broadcast on ABC Local Radio and published as an audio book by ABC Audio.[1] The award had four judges, three of whom changed each year. It comprised ABC Books commissioning editor Jo Mackay, a fiction writer, a local ABC radio broadcaster, and someone involved in literary education or debate such as a newspaper literary editor.'

'The award came to an end when ABC books was taken over by Harper Collins in 2009 ending fiction publishing.' (Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_Fiction_Award )

Notes

  • The ABC Fiction Award was launched in 2005 and first awarded in 2006. It is an annual award resulting from a nationwide competition.

    'The competition seeks the best, original, unpublished, quality fiction manuscript, written by an Australian resident over the age of 18. [...] The ABC Fiction Award aims to encourage emerging writers, contribute to Australian literary culture, and fulfil the ABC's charter by reflecting the diversity of the Australian community and adding to a sense of national identity.'

    The prize-winner receives a $10,000 advance, has their book published through ABC Books and broadcast on ABC Local Radio. The winning book is also made available as an audio book.

    Source: ABC Fiction Award website, http://www.abc.net.au/corp/abcfictionaward/
    Sighted: 02/08/2005

Latest Winners / Recipients

Year: 2008

winner y separately published work icon A God for the Killing Kain Massin , Sydney : ABC Books , 2008 7915256 2008 single work novel historical fiction

'Judith, a daring and beautiful woman, hardened by her life as a slave and angered by the treatment of her people, the inhabitants of Nazareth, becomes a feared and powerful figure beginning with the brutal assassination and decapitation of an enemy general. Hoping to retire as a free woman and into obscurity, Judith is sent on one last mission to assassinate the Messiah, Joshua, a Christ-like figure, who she discovers is her childhood sweetheart. This is a work of stunning originality that echoes the work and style of Michael Chabon (The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and The Yiddish Policemen's Union). Combining historical events, biblical conspiracy theories and a story of survival and triumph, A God for the Killing brings history and myth to life, captivates with its inventiveness long after the last page is turned.' (Publication summary)

Year: 2007

winner y separately published work icon Luck in the Greater West McDonald Damian , Sydney : ABC Books , 2007 Z1447289 2007 single work novel

'Patrick White, a small-time crim, is struggling to make sense of his life in the suburbs. meeting Sonja, the daughter of a Russian migrant, helps him realise that there is hope to make more of his life and create his own luck.

Abdullah Najib and his mates spend time cruising the streets looking for girls; he feels invincible and powerful in the suburbs and will push his luck with anything that comes his way.

The lives of these characters intersect in the sprawling suburbs of western Sydney, a place where luck begins to trickle out and where lives will change irrevovably.' - back cover blurb

Year: 2006

inaugural winner y separately published work icon The Pilo Family Circus Will Elliott , Sydney : ABC Books , 2006 Z1254794 2006 single work novel horror fantasy (taught in 2 units)

Jamie is plunged into the horrific alternative universe that is the centuries-old Pilo Family Circus, a borderline world between hell and earth from which humankind's greatest tragedies have been perpetrated. Yet in this place peopled by the gruesome, grotesque and monstrous, where violence and savagery are the norm, Jamie finds that his worst enemy is himself - for when he applies the white paint, he is transformed into JJ, the most vicious clown of all. And JJ wants Jamie dead... (back cover)

Works About this Award

Success Nearly Written Off Rosemary Sorensen , 2006 single work column
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 29 March 2006; (p. 51)
And the Winner Is... Matthia Dempsey , 2006 single work column
— Appears in: Bookseller + Publisher Magazine , May/June vol. 85 no. 10 2006; (p. 33)
Novel Approach to Circus Fantasy a Winner Susan Wyndham , 2006 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 29 March 2006; (p. 7)
Struggling Writer Cracks it at Final Attempt John Stapleton , 2006 single work column
— Appears in: The Australian , 29 March 2006; (p. 3)
Scandal Reveals a Million Little Fibs Susan Wyndham , 2006 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 28-29 January 2006; (p. 19)
A column canvassing current literary news including a brief update on the inaugural ABC Fiction Award.
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