Our National Writing Competition for Unpublished Manuscripts

Now looking ahead to its seventh year in 2008, the IP Picks Awards provide guaranteed royalty publication to the best book-length manuscript in four categories: Best Fiction, Best Creative Non-fiction, Best Poetry, Best First Book.

The Fiction category is for manuscripts up to 80,000 words and can include short story collections, short novels and novels written for young adults and adults. Any form of fiction is eligible, including science fiction and fantasy.

Creative Non-fiction is based on real-life experience and research, but written with literary flair. Biographies, memoirs, travel literature, histories and inspirational self-help books are examples.

The Poetry category is for complete collections in any sub-genre, including verse novels, verse plays, special forms such as haiku, or a mixture of forms.

The Best First Book can be in any genre (Young Adult and older), but the author must not have previously had a book-length manuscript (48 A5 pages or longer) published by a recognised national publisher. Authors who have only self-published are eligible to enter under this category. There is no age restriction, but if you are under eighteen years of age, you must have a parent or carer co-sign your entry form.

You may enter a single manuscript in two categories, but you have to pay two entry fees.

How Is It Judged?

IP Picks entries are adjudicated in-house by our Editorial Board.

Each entry is read by at least two judges. The judges first form a long-list of entries through a ranking system adjudicated by our genre editors. Next, the Board compares entries on their lists and compiles a short list from the rankings. The short-listed entries are read again by the Board, which, at that stage, includes the Director. Finally the Board meets to decide the winners and commended entries. At that meeting, the Board may also recommend that the Director offer publication to certain of the commended entries.

We then contact the winners and commended entrants and post the results on our website in IP eNews, our online newsletter, as well as circulating the results to all State writers centres.

Deadlines and Fees

IP.Picks opens on 1 October and closes on 1 December each year. Entry packages must include
   • two printed copies and one digital (on CD or floppy disk) copy of the entry
   • a completed entry form
   • the applicable fee

Download the required Conditions and Entry form in Word format or as a pdf file for further details on the submission procedure and to enter the competition. If you have trouble downloading the form [Adobe Acrobat Reader® required], email us for a copy, or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to IP, Treetop Studio, 9 Kuhler Court, Carindale 4152.

We charge a reading fee, currently set at $60, per entry. This must be included as a cheque or money order, with your entry. Included in the reading fee is an IP title of your choice. If you enter more than one category, you must pay a fee for each entry, and for that you receive an extra title of your choice.

Entrants who do not win or get commended can subsequently ask to have a short report written on the publishability of their manuscript. The fee for that report is $195, GST-inclusive, or $150, GST-inclusive for students or concession card holders (must provide photocopy of student card or concession card).

Previous Winners

Sylvia Petter Back Burning		Best Fiction 2007
Chris Dowding A Few Drops Short of a Pint		Best Creative Non-Fiction 2007
Mark O'Flynn What Can Be Proven		Best Poetry 2007
Jan Dean With One Brush		Best First Book 2007
Bill Collopy The House of Given		Best Fiction 2006
Dr Nigel Turvey Terania Creek: Rainforest Wars		Best Creative Non-fiction 2006
Paul Dawson Imagining Winter		Best Poetry 2006
Michelle Cahill The Accidental Cage		Best First Book 2006
Geoffrey Gates A Ticket for Perpetual Locomotion		Best Fiction 2005
Tilly Brasch No Middle Name		Best Creative Non-Fiction 2005
Joel Deane Subterranean Radio Songs		Best Poetry 2005
Cate Kennedy Joyflight		Best Poetry 2004 [co-winner]
Joel Deane Another		Best Fiction 2004
Nora Krouk Skin for Comfort		Best Poetry 2004 [co-winner]
Paul Mitchell minorphysics		Best Poetry 2003 [open]
Liam Guilar I’ll Howl Before You Bury Me		Best Poetry 2003 [Qld]
Sally Finn Fine Salt		Best Fiction 2002 [open]
Lesley Singh Cry Ma Ma to the Moon		Best Fiction 2002 [Qld]
Brett Dionysius Bacchanalia		Best Poetry 2002