Everything you need to know about the Walkley for book length non-fiction and literary journalism.
What are the Walkley Awards?
The Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism are Australia's most prestigious journalism awards. There are 33 categories across print, television, radio and photographic. The winner for 2009 was Churchill and Australia by Graham Freudenberg (Pan Macmillan).
Is the entry process similar to other literary awards?
This award is structured within the Walkley Award program, so it is unlike any other literary award in Australia. Some differences are outlined in detail below - including self-nomination by writers, no restrictions on how many books a publisher can enter, and an entry fee for non-members of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance of $260 (inc. GST). Entry is free for financial members of the Media Alliance.
Are there restrictions on how many books a publisher can enter?
No, publishers can enter as many titles as fit the criteria.
How many times can an individual author enter?
In line with the terms and conditions for all Walkley awards - entrants can only enter once in each category.
Can individual authors nominate themselves or does it have to be through the publishers?
The Walkley Awards have a tradition of self-nomination - but both the author and publisher must sign the entry form.
What are the conditions of entry?
All books must have been published in the 12 months from September 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010. Authors must be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia.
Do I need to be a journalist to enter?
No, all writers are encouraged to enter their work, if it is non-fiction.
Do I need to pay the $260 entry fee if I am a financial member of the AJA section of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance?
No, the Alliance will cover the cost of entry for financial members of the Alliance as a benefit of membership. The Media Alliance only covers entry fees for financial members - suspended members who are not actively working in the journalism field can reactivate their membership at a special rate, which includes delivery of The Walkley Magazine and other benefits. For membership information, please call 1300 65 65 13.
If there is more than one author involved on the book do they all need to pay the $260 entry fee?
If there is more than one author, each must still submit an entry fee. If they are members of the Alliance the fee is covered, if they are not members of the alliance the entry fee will be $260 each. Where one is a member and others are not, each author involved must still submit entry fees.
What types of books are considered non-fiction journalism ?
Entries may cover a diversity of issues, from true crime, memoirs and biographies through to political analysis, business, war reportage, investigative journalism and foreign correspondence, for example. Titles can be of Australian or international subject matter and/or historical in context. Entries can be a joint collaboration of up to five writers.
Do I need to have the entry form authorised?
Yes, it is compulsory that you have it signed by your publisher to validate the work.
What do I need to include with my entry form?
Please submit your completed entry form, along with six copies of your 200-word entry statement outlining the case for consideration, six copies of your 200-word synopsis and five full versions of the published work. This should be in both hard copy and saved on a CD.
The entry statement should contain things like the author's inspiration for the work, and anything else that may be of interest to the judges ie, has there been any consequence of the writing of the book, court action, media coverage, family reunions, new developments, if there have been hurdles publishing or researching the work.
How are the awards judged?
Judging is a two-tier process comprising senior representatives within the media and publishing community. Judges will determine a long list and shortlist of nominees prior to the announcement of winners at the 55th Walkley Award Gala Dinner in Melbourne on Thursday December 9th, 2010.
How are winners and finalists announced?
Longlist Finalists will be announced during October with a further short-list in early November. Please watch www.walkleys.com for further developments. The winner will be presented as part of the 55th Walkley Awards Gala Ceremony held on Thursday, December 9, 2010 and broadcast nationally on SBS TV.
When do entries close?
There are two rounds of entries:
First round entries close on Wednesday June 30, 2010 (For books published between September 1, 2098 to June 30, 2010)
Second round entries close Tuesday August 31, 2010 at 5pm (For books published between June 1, 2010 and August 31 2010)
Where can I get an entry form?
Click here to download the entry form.
For further information about the Walkley Awards please contact Louisa Graham on (02) 9333 0945.
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance - proud trustee of the Walkley Awards since 1956
