The Richell Prize for Emerging Writers ($10,000)
The Richell Prize for Emerging Writers 2026 Opens for Entries
If you’re an unpublished writer in Australia working on an adult fiction or narrative nonfiction manuscript, the Richell Prize for Emerging Writers 2026 offers an outstanding opportunity to gain financial support, professional mentorship, and a potential pathway to publication.
Presented by Emerging Writers’ Festival in partnership with Hachette Australia, the annual prize celebrates promising new voices and has helped launch the careers of numerous published authors.
Prize Details
The winner will receive:
- A$10,000 in prize money.
- A 12-month mentorship with a Hachette Australia publisher.
- Editorial guidance to develop the manuscript.
- Hachette Australia’s first option to consider the completed manuscript for publication.
- Longlisted and shortlisted writers will also be eligible to apply for a Casa Morphosi Residency in Abruzzo, Italy.
Eligibility Requirements for the Richell Prize
The prize is open to unpublished writers currently residing in Australia. Eligible submissions include:
- Adult fiction (including short story collections).
- Adult narrative nonfiction, including memoirs and essay collections.
Poetry, children’s books, young adult fiction, plays, scripts, and practical nonfiction are not eligible.
Writers do not need to have a completed manuscript before entering, but they must intend to finish the work.
What to Submit to the Richell Prize
Applicants must submit a single PDF containing:
- The first three chapters (or equivalent) of the manuscript, up to 20,000 words.
- A one-page synopsis.
- A chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the remainder of the manuscript.
Applicants must also complete an online statement of up to 750 words explaining how winning the prize would advance their writing career.
If you’re preparing your submission, these guides may help you strengthen your manuscript and receive valuable feedback before submitting:
Judging Criteria
Judges will evaluate entries according to:
- The quality and originality of the writing.
- The strength of the synopsis and chapter breakdown.
- The applicant’s statement explaining how the prize will support their writing career.
Important Dates
- Entries Open: 23 April 2026
- Submission Deadline: 13 July 2026 (11:59 p.m. AEST)
- Longlist Announcement: 11 September 2026
- Shortlist Announcement: 16 October 2026
- Winner Announced: 6 November 2026
The Richell Prize has become one of Australia’s leading opportunities for emerging writers. Previous winners and shortlisted authors have gone on to secure publishing contracts with Hachette Australia and establish successful writing careers.
