Congratulations to the 2024 QLA 'Development Awards' winners
Congratulations to the writers who have received Development Awards at last night's Queensland Literary Awards!
The David Unaipon Award for an Emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Writer
Congratulations to Dominic Guerrera on winning the 2024 David Unaipon Award for an Emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Writer for his manuscript Native Rage and to Emily Lighezzolo for winning the Glendower Award for an Emerging Queensland Writer for her manuscript Life Drawing.
Both of these awards consist of manuscript development and publication with University of Queensland Press
The David Unaipon Award for an Emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Writer is for an outstanding unpublished manuscript by an emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writer.
What the judges have to say about Dominic Guerrera's manuscript Native Rage-
'This beautifully realised poetry collection travels from cutting reflections on First Nations sovereignty and racism to unrequited love and family connections. Poignant poems of ordinary Blak life add vulnerability and tenderness. A very impressive entry from a Nunga man with fire in his belly and a passionate vision for his people.'
The Glendower Award for an Emerging Queensland Writer
The Glendower Award for an Emerging Queensland Writer is supported by Jenny Summerson through the Queensland Library Foundation and is awarded for an outstanding unpublished manuscript by an emerging Queensland.
What the judges have to say about Emily Lighezzolo's manuscript Life Drawing-
'Life Drawing' is a compelling contemporary novel told in three distinct parts over several decades. It cleverly explores through the friendship of Charlie and Maisie the societal perceptions of women’s bodies. Moving and insightful, 'Life Drawing' picks up on contemporary debates about bodies, control and volition.
Queensland Premier’s Young Publishers and Writers Award
This award is part of the Queensland Literary Awards and is awarded to 2 outstanding Queensland writers and/or publishers up to 30 years of age.
One of two winners is UQP poet, Gavin Yuan Gao.
Judges' comments:
Gavin Yuan Gao is a gifted poet whose achievements already include the Thomas Shapcott Prize, the Prime Minister's Literary Award for poetry, and the Victoria Premier’s Poetry Prize. Their work is intelligent, tender, exquisitely crafted, and they have made valuable contributions to the Queensland literary community, particularly through translation. Gao’s potential appears boundless, including through their current project, a collection of short stories centring the lives of Chinese-Australian immigrants.
Queensland Writers Fellowships
The Queensland Writers Fellowships are awarded to to Queensland authors to advance a writing project over 12 months. Fellowships awarded in 2024 are for projects in January – December 2025.
UQP recipients include:
Jarad Bruinstroop for “For the Duration”
Cheryl Leavy for “Mudhunda – Song Country”
