Applications for the 2024 ACT Book of the Year Award open Thursday 15 February and close 5:00pm on Thursday 28 March 2024.
2024 ACT Book of the Year Award
The ACT Government offers an ACT Book of the Year Award for excellence in literature, valued at $10,000 for the winner, $2,000 for any highly commended book and $1,000 for each shortlisted book. The Award aims to support the development of ACT-based writers, promotes writing in the ACT, and contributes to a positive writing culture for the ACT. The ACT Book of the Year Award recognises quality contemporary literary works including fiction, non-fiction and poetry by ACT-based authors published in the previous calendar year. The ACT Book of the Year Award is for books written by authors who reside in the ACT, or can specifically and strongly demonstrate an ACT-based arts practice.
Books are considered by an independent judging panel, which recommends a shortlist and winning author to the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. Previous literary contributions by the author may be taken into consideration during the judging process. All decisions are final and no discussion or correspondence will be entered into regarding the judging process. The ACT Government reserves the right not to accept a nomination.
For further information on the ACT Book of the Year Award, please contact artsACT on (02) 6207 2384 or email artsACT@act.gov.au.
Book of the Year Award - Conditions of entry
Nominations must meet the ACT Book of the Year Award eligibility requirements and the Conditions of Entry listed below.
- Nominations will only be accepted from the author or their publisher.
- The nominated book must have been published in English for the first time in the previous year (the publication date is taken as the date printed in the book).
- The nominated book must have been written by an author who resides in the ACT or can strongly demonstrate a current ACT-based arts practice.
- Only one book per author may be nominated.
- The following books will not be considered: anthologies, military studies, picture books, instruction manuals, university theses, bibliographies, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, professional reference titles, guide books, catalogues, personal growth books, lifestyle or hobby books and educational text books.
- E-books are eligible but must be provided in a PDF format.
- The nomination form must be submitted online through Smartygrants before the deadline.
- Four copies of the nominated title need to be supplied to artsACT.
- Books sent by post must be postmarked on or before the closing date.
- Postal address:
artsACT
GPO Box 158
CANBERRA ACT 2601 - If delivering in person, please contact artsACT to arrange a delivery time.
- artsACT will not acknowledge receipt of the books.
- artsACT will determine eligibility but may seek the advice of the judging panel. The decision of artsACT is final.
- Copies of nominated books received will be provided to the ACT Library Service or other appropriate ACT Government agencies. Books will not be returned to the author or publisher.
- Copies of the shortlisted and winning books will be used to promote the Award and the authors.
- If an event is held to announce the shortlisted authors and the winner, the shortlisted authors may be requested to attend.
More information on previous winners
Dreams and Schemers by Frank Bongiorno has been awarded 2023 ACT Book of the Year. Dreams and Schemers is a captivating account of Australia's political history. The ACT Book of the Year celebrates outstanding literary talent in the ACT and the valuable contribution it makes to Canberra’s cultural life.
The judges also awarded two highly commended and three shortlisted novels from local authors:
- Highly Commended: Lohrey by Julieanne Lamond - an in-depth analysis and immersive account of Amanda Lohrey’s life and how it shaped her writing and fictional expertise.
- Highly Commended: Words for Lucy by Marion Halligan - a masterful piece of storytelling, reflecting a deeply personal journey through the tragic, sad, and affectionate life experiences of Marion Halligan’s family.
- Shortlisted: Legitimate Sexpectations: the power of sex-ed by Katrina Marson - a courageous and well researched book driven by a resolute mission to provoke an important public discussion and to inspire reform in sex education in Australia.
- Shortlisted: Bulldozed: Scott Morrison’s fall and Anthony Albanese’s rise by Niki Savva - a unique insight into the hidden world of Australian politics and the underlying turbulence that has influenced the recent political landscape.
- Shortlisted: Tomorrow There Will be Apricots by Robert Bowker - offers a profound insight into the world of middle eastern politics and diplomacy.
Previous winning nominations to the ACT Book of the Year Award (page hosted by Libraries ACT).