ANZ LitLovers LitBlog

• ‘The Boy Who Wept Rabbits’ by Benjamin Forbes
• ‘Petrichor’ by Aisling Smith
• ‘Meddies’ by Kerry Jewell
• ‘Flaring Out’ by Scott Limbrick
• ‘Cities of Refuge’ by Mark Hennessy

In the press release at the Emerging Writers Festival website, Alice Muhling, Executive Director of the Emerging Writers’ Festival, said:

‘We are so impressed by the array of talent encompassed by the Richell Prize’s shortlisted writers. These compelling voices are all ones to watch, displaying powerful ideas and a great breadth of creativity,’ added

The winner receives $10,000 in prize money, and a 12-month mentorship to develop the manuscript with one of Hachette Australia’s publishers.  With support from Simpson’s Solicitors, the prize is a partnership between Hachette, the Richell family in memory of Matt Richell, the Emerging Writers Festival and The Guardian (which will publish an extract of the first chapter of the winning work and a profile on the winning writer.)

The winner will be announced online on November 9.

BTW In the press release, the remarks of Louise Sherwin Stark, CEO, Hachette Australia, were also noted:

“…all shortlisted writers are from Victoria, which is rather fascinating, although I will resist speculating about whether the state’s extended lock down has created more time for writing this year. “

[This was resisting speculation? Why spoil the occasion with cheap jokes about C-19?  Perhaps Sydney is still smarting that it’s Melbourne that’s a City of Literature, and lockdown or not, writers are nurtured here.  Whatever, this was a remark in poor taste.]