The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) and HQ (a publishing division of HarperCollins) have recently revealed the shortlist for the 2022 ASA/HQ Commercial Fiction Prize for unpublished manuscripts. And we are happy-dancing our hearts out for the two talented writers and alumnae of the Australian Writers' Centre that we spotted on the list – Inessa Jackson and Lydia Evans!
Inessa and Lydia have completed a number of creative writing courses at AWC over the years, including our powerful Write Your Novel program. This is a workshopping-based program designed to strengthen your manuscript, with a supportive team of writers and experienced tutor alongside you at every step. We’re so delighted that Inessa's and Lydia's hard work and commitment to their craft has paid off.
The shortlisted titles for the 2022 ASA/HQ Commercial Fiction Prize are:
- Lydia Evans, Someone Else
- Ayesha Inoon, Untethered
- Inessa Jackson, Next of Kin
The winner will receive a publishing contract with HQ, with a $10,000 advance against royalties. The shortlist was drawn from a pool of nearly 200 entries, and was selected by a panel of judges, including two bestselling fiction authors, Pamela Hart and Victoria Purman, Publisher Rachael Donovan and Head of Publishing for HQ, Jo Mackay.
Jo Mackay, Head of Publishing for HQ said, ‘We are delighted to partner with the Australian Society of Authors to bring forward some of the best new voices in commercial fiction. There were some truly exceptional entries this year. They are all impressive manuscripts.’
ASA CEO, Olivia Lanchester said, ‘We have been thrilled by the tremendous response we’ve had to the prize once again this year, and are so impressed by this exceptional shortlist. Our warm thanks to HQ for offering this publishing opportunity.’
We have our fingers and toes crossed for these brilliant authors for the winner announcement on 23 March 2022. We’re sure this is just the beginning of their amazing author careers!
