In partnership with Hachette Australia, we are delighted to announce the shortlisted writers for the 2025 Richell Prize for Emerging Writers.

THREE FLAMES ATE THE SUN – Arden Baker

FOR REASONS I CAN’T DISCERN – Jake Dean

WHITE ASH, BLACK ASH – Yang Liu

THE SWEETER – Monique Marani

ABYSS – Georgia White

The writers on this shortlist will be judged on the first three chapters of their submitted work, along with a synopsis outlining the direction of the proposed work and details about how their writing career would benefit from winning the Prize.

The winner will receive $10,000, donated by the Richell family, along with a 12-month mentorship with one of the publishers. Hachette will work with the winning writer to develop their manuscript, with the first option to consider the finished work for publication.

Jes Layton, co-CEO and Executive Director of the Emerging Writers’ Festival, says: ‘Since beginning my time at EWF in 2023, every year I have been blown away by the quality, standard and phenomenal achievement of the writers who submit and the writers who are listed for the Richell Prize. Administering this unique prize is an immense privilege and responsibility that would not be possible without the work of the prize Judges, 20 submission readers and of course this year’s Richell Prize Coordinator; Anita Solak. I want to thank you all for your tireless efforts in helping us decide these final five shortlistees from over seven hundred entries.  Congratulations to the 2025 Richell Prize shortlisted writers, this is an incredible achievement, and you should all feel so proud.‘

The winner of the 2025 Richell Prize for Emerging Writers will be announced on 5 November. Subscribe to the EWF newsletter to stay up-to-date.