2010 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards Shortlist

2010 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards: Shortlist announced

MEDIA RELEASE COURTESY OF: VICTORIAN PREMIER'S LITERARY AWARDS

The Wheeler Centre along with the Victorian Arts Minister Peter Batchelor today announced the shortlist for the 2010 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards at a special event at the Melbourne Writers Festival.

This year’s shortlist is a vibrant mix of household names and up-and-coming writing talent, from Peter Carey, J.M. Coetzee, Brenda Walker, Peter Temple, Larissa Behrendt and Waleed Aly, to Annabel Crabb, Craig Silvey, Natasha Campo and Maria Tumarkin. The ten categories encompass a variety of literary pursuits – from fiction, Indigenous writing and poetry to essays advancing public debate and unpublished manuscripts by emerging Victorian writers, the awards serve to recognise Australia’s most talented writers across a diverse range of contexts.

“In their 26th year, the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards truly reflect the state’s strength and passion for literature. Victoria’s writing culture is robust and these awards recognise and support this important part of our society,” Mr Batchelor.

“Interestingly a third of all Australian bookstores are in Victoria, 41 per cent of Australian booksellers are based in Melbourne generating 43 per cent of total book sales in Australia. So, not only do we continue to prove our designation as the world's second UNESCO City of Literature, we relish it.

“The Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards are a key element in the Government’s City of Literature initiative which aims to promote and raise the profile of literature in Victoria. The names on this year’s list show the diversity and talent in the arts.”

With 36 writers nominated in 10 categories and $180,000 of prize money on offer, the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards remains one of the most notable awards in the Australian Literary community.

Winners of the 2010 Victorian Premier’s Literature Awards will be announced by Premier John Brumby at a special dinner at Federation Square on Tuesday 28 September. For tickets and more information about the dinner click here.

For the first time this year, the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards come under the auspices of the Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas, the centrepiece of Melbourne’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature.