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Queensland Literary Awards 2025 book stack

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Queensland Literary Awards

Queensland Literary Awards

The Queensland Literary Awards showcase outstanding authors from across Australia, celebrating emerging and established authors across a range of genres. State Library of Queensland is proud to manage the Awards in collaboration with sponsors, the literary community, and industry partners.

The Queensland Literary Awards are supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and State Library of Queensland, sponsors, grants, and philanthropic donations through the Queensland Library Foundation.

Congratulations to the 2025 finalists!

Published book awards

QLA State Sig shortlist

Queensland Premier’s Award for a Work of State Significance

$30,000 for an outstanding work by a Queensland author or an outstanding work by an Australian writer that tells a Queensland story.

QLA nonfiction shortlist

The University of Queensland Non-Fiction Book Award

$15,000 awarded to an outstanding work of non-fiction for adults by an Australian writer.

QLA fiction shortlist

The University of Queensland Fiction Book Award

$15,000 awarded to an outstanding work of fiction for adults by an Australian writer.

QLA YA shortlisted

Young Adult Book Award

$15,000 awarded to an outstanding work by an Australian writer suitable for young adults 13 to 19 years of age.

QLA childrens shortlist

Children’s Book Award

$15,000 awarded to an outstanding work by an Australian writer suitable for children up to 12 years of age.

QLA poetry shortlist

Judith Wright Calanthe Award for a Poetry Collection

$17,500 awarded to an outstanding published collection of poetry by an Australian writer.

QLA peoples choice 3

The Courier-Mail People’s Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award

$15,000 awarded to an outstanding book by a Queensland author as voted by the public.

Development awards

Two yellow pineapples appear on a navy blue background.

David Unaipon Award for an Emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Writer

$20,000, plus manuscript development and publication with University of Queensland Press.

Two navy blue pineapples on a yellow-gold background

Glendower Award for an Emerging Queensland Writer

$15,000, plus manuscript development and publication with University of Queensland Press.

Two yellow pineapples appear on a navy blue background.

Queensland Premier’s Young Publishers and Writers Awards

2 awards of $12,000 each, plus career development support to the value of $3,000.

Two navy blue pineapples on a yellow-gold background

Queensland Writers Fellowships

There is no shortlist for this award. Fellowships of $20,000 each, plus career development to the value of $4,500.

2025 Queensland Literary Awards Terms and Conditions of Entry

PDF · 267 KB

More information

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Nomination FAQs

Find answers to common questions about nominating for the Queensland Literary Awards.

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Judging process

Find out about the judges and the judging process.

Benjamin Law smiles at another guest at the 2023 Queensland Literary Awards reception

History of the awards

Discover past Queensland Literary Award winners and finalists.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please phone us on 07 3842 9827 or email qla@slq.qld.gov.au.

Sign up to our mailing list to stay in touch.

Help support writers

The Queensland Literary Awards are supported by the Library Foundation. Be part of the celebration of literature and help nurture Australian writers.

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Major partner

Principal benefactors

The Queensland Writers Fellowships are supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and State Library of Queensland.

Glendower Award for an Emerging Queensland Writer is supported by Jenny Summerson through the Queensland Library Foundation.

Young Adult Book Award is supported by Susan Hocking and Ian Mackie, and their family.

Children's Book Award is supported by the Queensland Library Foundation.

Supporters

Queensland Writers Centre