Meet the 2025 Richell Prize Coordinator

Tell us a bit about yourself, Anita! Apart from being this year’s amazing Richell Prize Coordinator – what do you get up to?

Alongside managing the Richell Prize this year, I was an assessor for City of Darebin’s literary journal with Panda Wong, where we read and selected fiction and poetry to publish in dSCRIBE and win the Darebin Mayor’s Writing Awards. As a poet, electronic literature artist and editor, I’m also working on my own freelance writing practice. Later this year I will be editing a poetry manuscript and PHD, writing an exhibition statement, and completing a few audio-visual interactive poetry pieces.

As you know, there’s a lot that goes into making a literature prize happen. What excites you most about coordinating the Richell Prize for Emerging Writers?

In previous years, I’ve read for the prize and always enjoyed the opportunity to engage with the stories people are trying to show the world. I appreciated being paid to read for such a prestigious prize, especially since the invitation came at a time when I was struggling financially. Stepping into the project coordinator role this year has given me a chance to reach out to other emerging editors, arts-workers between jobs and students interested in gaining experience in the literary industry, offering them the same opportunity I received.

Why do you think it’s important for new and emerging writers to submit to a prize like the Richell Prize?

Writing is mostly self-directed, and finding the time to develop a manuscript can be difficult, but working towards the goal of submission can spark motivation and persistence. Submitting your work to prizes can be daunting, but I believe this particular prize is a great introduction to the process. The Richell Prize offers a chance to learn about eligibility criteria, formatting and submission processes, preparing and fostering a new generation of emerging writers ready to reach out for more opportunities.

Do you have any handy hints or tips for writers hoping to submit their work?

Firstly, check the submission guidelines! A lot of work can be deemed ineligible over small things like font, word count or document type. Another thing to note is that your synopsis and chapter breakdown are important—they show us your plan and the potential in the book. We’re always so excited to read submissions, but you should also try sharing your ideas and drafts with friends and community, writing may be a solitary act but editing and the path to publication doesn’t have to be. It’s always helpful to get feedback and other perspectives on your work, especially if you’ve been sitting with your manuscript for a long time.

All this talk of writing and books! What have you been reading lately, or what are you excited to pick up soon?

I’m a bit silly in that I can’t read just one book at a time, I’m always reading at least three. Sometimes I’m in the mood for poetry, but on PTV I want to read stories and essays. At the moment I’m reading three books of poetry Baby I Don’t Care by Chelsea Minnis Bluff by Danez Smith The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes on by Franny Choi , Notes of a Crocodile by Qui Miaojin, and A Handbook of Disappointed Fate by Anne Boyer.