Waverley Council is proud to announce that nominations are now open for the Mark & Evette Moran Nib Literary Award.
The Nib Award is Waverley Council's annual celebration of the best research-based writing and is Australia's only major national literary award of its kind presented by a local council.
In 2021, The Nib celebrates its 20th anniversary with a continued legacy of judging works against a specific award criterion of excellence in research, high level of literary merit, readability and value to the community.
The Nib encourages emerging and established authors, and their publishers, to nominate published literary works, regardless of genre, for consideration for the $20,000 major prize. The Nib boasts an impressive list of previous winners including Helen Garner, Erik Jensen, Gideon Haigh, Mark Dapin, Bri Lee, Nadia Wheatley and Rebecca Giggs.
Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said more and more people are turning to literature as a means of entertainment, inspiration, information, and escape during these challenging times.
"It is easy to find comfort in the words of our storytellers who they themselves have had to contend with delayed publications, postponed book events and cancelled writers' festivals," Mayor Masselos.
"As a Council, we are delighted to directly award Australian authors through The Nib for their contribution to the sharing of knowledge and ideas, which we support as an organisation."
This year, a total of $28,500 in prize money will be awarded across three categories:
- Mark & Evette Moran Nib Literary Award ($20,000 prize)
- Alex Buzo Nib Shortlist Prize (6 x $1,000 prizes)
- Nib People's Choice Prize ($2,500 prize)
Titles first published between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021 are eligible for this year's award. Nominations close Monday 14 June 2021 and for all guidelines and submission details, visit www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/nib.
