Australian Book Review  – Fifth Calibre Essay Prize for an Outstanding Essay

Closing date: 1 January 2011

First Prize: $10,000

Australian Book Review (ABR) and the Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) seek entries for the fifth Calibre Prize for an Outstanding Essay, the nation’s premier award for an original essay and one of the world’s most lucrative essay competitions. The Calibre Prize is intended to generate brilliant new essays and to foster new insights into culture, society and the human condition. We welcome essays from leading authors and commentators, but also from emerging writers. All non-fiction subjects are eligible: from life writing to literary studies, history to politics, biography to philosophy, natural history to popular science, travel writing to environmental studies.

Entry form and further information on the website – http://www.australianbookreview.com.au/competitions/calibre-prize

ABR Sidney Myer Fund Fellowship

Australian Book Review seeks applications for the ABR Sidney Myer Fund Fellowship, a major new program marking the magazine’s fiftieth birthday in 2011. This particular Fellowship – the second to be offered by ABR – is supported by the Sidney Myer Fund. The ABR Fellowships are intended to reward outstanding Australian writers, to enhance ABR through the publication of major works of literary journalism, and to advance the magazine’s commitment to critical debate. We are seeking a substantial article, either a profile of a major literary figure or a discursive essay with literary/cultural themes.

Worth $5000. Deadline: January 31s 2011

Any writer with a significant publication record (books, creative writing, essays or journalism) is eligible to apply.

Who can apply?

Any writer with a significant publication record (books, creative writing, essays or journalism) is eligible to apply. The program is open to Australian citizens and permanent Australian residents. ABR staff and Board members are ineligible. Other contributors to the magazine are encouraged to apply.

What is ABR offering?

The ABR Sidney Myer Fund Fellow will receive $5000 – half on commencement of the Fellowship, half following its satisfactory completion. The Fellow will receive one Economy return fare to Melbourne (if necessary). Office space and a computer will be available during the Fellow’s visit to the ABR office. No contribution to accommodation costs is possible. The Fellow will work closely with the Editor of ABR.

Selection process

The Fellowship will be awarded by Australian Book Review on the advice of a committee comprising the Editor of ABR and two other ABR Patrons. We will announce the decision in the March 2011 issue. No correspondence will be entered into once the decision has been announced. ABR reserves the right not to award a Fellowship during a particular round.

Expected outcomes

The Fellow will be expected to complete the project within six months. He or she will produce an article of between 6000 and 10,000 words for publication in the magazine. The Fellow will spend up to a week at the ABR office in Melbourne and will take part in a round-table discussion with staff, interns and contributors, and in a public event. The Fellow will also be available for any media promotion of the Fellowship program.

How to apply?

Send us a succinct but comprehensive two-page proposal, plus a two-page CV. Entries must be received by 31 January 2011. Printed applications are required (faxed or emailed ones will not be processed). There is no entry fee. Applicants should feel free to discuss their proposals with the Editor before submitting them.

Submit proposals to:

ABR Sidney Myer Fund Fellowship
PO Box 2320
RICHMOND SOUTH VIC 3121

Important dates: Entries close on 31 January 2011. We will announce the decision in the March 2011 issue.

Website http://www.australianbookreview.com.au/fellowships/sidney-myer-fund-fellowship