The Walkley Foundataion an Alliance Initiative

This unique Walkley Literary Award celebrates excellence in non-fiction writing. The growing contribution Australian authors are making to literature reinforces the vital role of journalism in the publishing landscape.

The Award is open to Australian journalists or writers. Entries can encompass subject matter including true crime and biographies through to political analysis, business writing, war reporting, investigative journalism and foreign correspondence.

The winner will join the ranks of Don Watson (American Journeys), Chris Masters (Jonestown), Neil Chenoweth (Packer's Lunch) and Bob Connolly (Making Black Harvest).

Best non-fiction book

The Walkley literary award specifically recognises journalism in book form, and is open to all examples of journalistic non-fiction works by Australian writers. Entries may cover a diversity of issues, from true crime and biographies through to political analysis, business, war reportage, investigative journalism and foreign correspondence, for example. Authors must be Australian citizens or residents of Australia. Titles can be an edited collection of no more than five authors. It can be on an Australian or international subject matter and/or historical in context.

This year's finalists are:

2009 Shortlist

Graham Freudenberg’s study of Winston Churchill’s relationship with Australia, Sally Neighbour’s portrait of a matriarch among terrorists and Gerard Ryle’s investigation of the Firepower scandal are the shortlisted finalists for the prestigious Walkley Non-fiction Book Award.

The Walkley Award for Best Non-Fiction Book celebrates excellence in non-fiction literature and long-form journalism. With over 70 books entered this year, the award is a ringing endorsement for the growing contribution Australian authors and journalists are making to the genre.

The shortlist represents the final round of judging after over 70 entries were reduced to a long list of 10 books. Paul Bailey, managing editor of the Australian Financial Review, and Matthew Ricketson, Professor of Journalism at the University of Canberra, announced the nominees at a lunch in Sydney on November 9.

The 2009 Walkley Non-fiction Book Award shortlisted nominees (in alphabetical order) are:

Graham Freudenberg, Churchill and Australia (Pan Macmillan)

Over 65 years, from the eve of the Boer War to the eve of the Vietnam war, this history examines the fraught relationship between Winston Churchill and seven Australian prime ministers.

Sally Neighbour, The Mother of Mohammed (Melbourne University Press)

From Mudgee girl, to hippy backpacker, to Muslim convert and perceived threat to Australia’s national security, the extraordinary story of Rabiah Hutchinson.

Gerard Ryle, Firepower (Allen & Unwin)

A compelling account of perhaps the greatest fraud in Australian history: the magical pill to cut fuel consumption and emissions promised by the Firepower company took in politicians, doctors, business leaders and sporting stars.

The winner will be announced at the Walkley Awards Gala Ceremony on Thursday November 26.

The shortlist was selected from a long-list of ten nominees. The full long-list of finalists were:  

2009 Long-list 

 

Graham Freudenberg, Churchill and Australia, Pan Macmillian

Peter Hartcher, To The Bitter End, Allen & Unwin

Jenny Hocking, Gough Whitlam: A Moment in History, Melbourne University Press

Mary-Rose MacColl, The Birth Wars, University of Queensland Press

David Marr, The Henson Case, Text Publishing

Iain McCalman, Darwin’s Armada, Penguin

Sally Neighbour, The Mother of Mohammed, Melbourne University Press

Matt Peacock, Killer Company, ABC Books

Gerard Ryle, Firepower, Allen & Unwin

Robert Wainwright, The Killing of Caroline Byrne, Allen & Unwin

For more information download the 2009 entry form and FAQs.