UQP Mentorship Prize for Under-Represented Writers

The UQP Mentorship Prize for Under-represented Writers is a mentorship and residency prize for previously unpublished authors from communities under-represented in Australian writing and publishing.

The prize is designed to support emerging writers in developing a manuscript for possible future publication.

HOW TO APPLY

Entries open on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 and close at 11.59pm AEST on Sunday, 2 August 2026.

To apply, complete the online submission form and upload the required materials via the link below.

Enter here.

Applicants must submit:

1. A completed application form
2. The first 5,000 words of a fiction or non-fiction manuscript for adults or children (excluding picture books)

Manuscripts must:

• be typed
• 1.5 line spaced
• paginated
• submitted as a single Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) or PDF

Other file formats (including Pages) will not be accepted.

Hardcopy submissions will not be accepted or returned.

The combined size of uploaded files must not exceed 10MB.

A shortlist will be announced in October 2026. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a complete manuscript (or all available material) for final judging.

The two winners will be announced in November 2026.

Applications are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents currently living in Australia who are aged 18 years and over.

APPLICATION FORM

What is the prize?

1. Prize money of $5000.

2. A residency at UQP’s office at The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, including:

• Return flights and accommodation in Brisbane for the residency (if required);
• Online or in-person sessions with an experienced writing mentor matched with the winning author;
• Editorial mentoring with a UQP editor;
• A professional development session with senior UQP staff on marketing, publicity, rights and sales.
• Consideration of the final manuscript by a UQP publisher with an option to publish the work.
  

Can I have published a book before?

No. Applicants must not have had a book commercially published by a traditional publisher.

You may have previously published short-form work, including stories, essays, poetry or journalism, in print or online.

Can self-published authors apply?

Yes. Self-published authors are eligible to apply.

Applicants are only ineligible if they have had a book commercially published by a traditional publisher, have an existing publishing contract for a full-length work, or are currently in contract negotiations with another publisher.

How many entries can I submit?

One application per person.

Who can apply?

Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 years or over.

This mentorship prize is open to emerging writers from communities under-represented in the Australian publishing industry. Applicants are invited to describe their own experience of under-representation as part of the application process.

Applications are welcome from writers from First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), LGBTQIA+, disability and other marginalised communities.

How should I submit my manuscript?

Applications must be submitted via the online submission form.

Upload the first 5,000 words of your manuscript (or the complete manuscript if it is shorter than 5,000 words) as either a Word document or PDF.

Manuscripts must be typed, 1.5 line spaced and paginated.

The total size of uploaded files must not exceed 10MB.

Can I submit a work-in-progress?

Yes. You may submit the first 5,000 words of a manuscript whether it is complete or still in progress.

Can I submit a manuscript previously declined by UQP?

Yes. Manuscripts previously declined by UQP through another submission channel remain eligible for entry.

Can I submit a co-authored manuscript?

No. Manuscripts must be single-authored.

Submitted work must be the applicant’s original work and must not contain AI-generated content.

When will I find out if I’m shortlisted?

Shortlisted writers will be notified directly in October 2026.

The shortlist will be made public after shortlisted applicants have been contacted.

Will feedback be provided to unsuccessful applicants?

Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Individual feedback will not be provided to unsuccessful applicants.

Who will judge the prize?

The prize will be judged by a panel consisting of one UQP representative and two external judges from under-represented writing communities.

What if I don’t live in Magandjin/Brisbane, where UQP is based?

The prize includes travel to and accommodation in Magandjin/Brisbane to support an in-person residency

The residency will be arranged at a mutually agreed time.

What happens after the mentorship period?

Participation in the mentorship does not guarantee publication.

Following completion of the mentorship and residency period, UQP may enter discussions regarding possible publication of the manuscript.

• Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents currently residing in Australia and aged 18 years or over.
• Only one entry may be submitted per applicant.
• Entries must be received by 11.59pm AEST on Sunday, 2 August 2026.
• Incomplete, late or ineligible entries may not be considered.
• Manuscripts must be original works created by the applicant and must not contain AI-generated creative content.
• Manuscripts must not be under contract or in current contract negotiations with another publisher.
• Shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide additional material for judging purposes.
• Judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.
• UQP will have a first option to negotiate publication of the winning manuscripts.
• Participation in the mentorship does not guarantee publication by UQP.
• UQP reserves the right not to award the prize if, in the judges’ opinion, no entry meets the required standard.
• UQP reserves the right to amend prize details, timelines or judging arrangements if necessary.