The Richell Prize for Emerging Writers 2026

The Richell Prize for Emerging Writers is one of Australia's most respected literary prizes, presented jointly by the Emerging Writers' Festival and Hachette Australia. Established in memory of Hachette Australia CEO Matt Richell, who passed away in 2014, the prize champions unpublished writers of adult fiction and adult narrative non-fiction.

You don't need a completed manuscript to enter — just a strong beginning and a clear vision. Submissions are judged on your first three chapters (up to 20,000 words), a one-page synopsis, a chapter breakdown of up to two A4 pages, and a statement of up to 750 words explaining how winning would benefit your writing career.

The Prize

The winner receives $10,000 in prize money (donated by Hachette Australia) and a 12-month mentorship with a Hachette Australia publisher. The mentorship includes manuscript assessment, feedback on writing style, discussion of target audience, and regular check-ins on your writing progress. Hachette will also hold first option to consider the finished manuscript — and the shortlisted entries — for publication.

For the first time, long- and shortlisted writers will also be eligible to apply for a Casa Morphosi Residency in Abruzzo, Italy.

Eligibility

• You must reside in Australia (Australian citizens, permanent residents, or those on long-term work or study visas currently living in Australia)
• Your work must be unpublished — no prior publication through a publishing house (including small and independent presses)
• Eligible forms include adult fiction (including short story collections) and adult narrative non-fiction (including memoir and essay collections)
• Poetry, scripts, plays, picture books, practical non-fiction, and works for children or young adults are not eligible
• Previous entrants may resubmit, but not the same or near-identical work

Submission Format

All materials must be submitted as a single PDF, formatted in 12pt Roman font (e.g. Garamond or Times New Roman), double-spaced, A4, with 3cm margins and page numbers. The file name must be your manuscript's title.

Key Dates

• Prize opens: 23 April 2026
• Prize closes: 11:59PM AEST, 13 July 2026
• Longlist announced: 11 September 2026
• Shortlist announced: 16 October 2026
• Winner announced: 6 November 2026

Hachette has published or contracted numerous alumni discovered through this prize, making it a genuine launchpad for emerging Australian writers.