Young Australian Christian Writer Award

We encourage life-changing Christian writing so that lives, communities and cultures are transformed as people discover Jesus in a way that is authentic and culturally meaningful. The Young Australian Christian Writer Award is given annually for the best unpublished manuscript by an Australian citizen under 30 years of age. This award carries a prize of $2,500. Supplementary awards include a $1,000 prize for writers under 18 years of age. With the Young Australian Christian Writer Award we discover and nurture writers of the future.

2016 Results

Winner

Miriam Dale
The Weight of Hope

This collection of poetry and prose is profound and insightful. Miriam Dale’s enviable honesty and warmth make her a welcome companion. Her writing is candid and raw but above all hopeful

Second Prize

Rebecca Lang
The Sprinkling of Unforced Rhythms

The journey of a young woman recovering from a traumatic experience is told in a lyrical, poetic style. Classy writing with a clear promise of restoration for a broken world.

Third Prize

Jim Schirmer
The Way of the Rabbi

The Way of the Rabbi is a thorough and integrated exploration of what
it means to follow Jesus. The author carefully considers both our own
context and the milieu in which Jesus chose and discipled his first
followers. The reader is reassured by the diversity of the apostles
and challenged to consider the consequences for our personal and
public life.

Award criteria

The Young Australian Christian Writer Awards aim to discover and encourage writers of the future. A $2,500 prize is given for the best unpublished manuscript by an Australian citizen under 30 years of age. Supplementary awards include a $1,000 prize for writers under 18 years of age. The winning work will have a Christian perspective or theme. Entries are judged with an eye to the:
Original nature and content of the work.
Literary style, including suitability for the target audience.
Contribution that the work makes in meeting a need for Christian writing in Australia.

Entry form and conditions

Download entry form here

Award Results

2016 Young Australian Christian Writer Award
Winner. Miriam Dale for ‘The Weight of Hope’
2nd Prize. Rebecca Lang for ‘The Sprinkling of Unforced Rhythms’
3rd Prize. Jim Schirmer for ‘The Way of the Rabbi’
Open 2016 awards results and judge’s comments

2015 Young Australian Christian Writer Award
Winner. Tim Sharp for ‘Undying’
2nd Prize. Trudy for ‘The Sunshine List’
3rd Prize. Sarah Backholer and Rebecca Nisbet for ‘Seasons of Grace’
Open 2015 awards results and judge’s comments

2014 Young Australian Christian Writer Award
Winner. Heidi Waddell for ‘The Bridge’
2nd Prize. Joshua Maule for ‘Isesomo’
3rd Prize. Chantelle Pitt for ‘Loving Floyd’
Open 2014 awards results and judge’s comments.

2013 Young Australian Christian Writer Award

Winner. Matthew Pullar for ‘Imperceptible Arms: A Memoir in Poems’
Open 2013 awards results and judge’s comments.

2012 Young Australian Christian Writer Award

Winner. Claire van Ryn for ‘Faith Like a Mushroom’
2nd Prize. Miriam Dale for ‘Sugar and salt: Honesty in faith’
3rd Prize. Darren Wright for ‘St Patrick’s Church. Part Two’
Open 2012 awards results and judge’s comments.

2011 Young Australian Christian Writer Award

The Young Australian Christian Writer Award was withheld in 2011.

2010 Young Australian Christian Writer Award
Winner. Jack Burnham for ‘Held In His Hands’
Open 2010 awards results and judge’s comments.

2009 Young Australian Christian Writer Award

Winner. Leng Te for ‘Into Your Mystery’
2nd Prize. Justin Denholm for ‘Talking About Ethics’
Open 2009 awards results and judge’s comments.

Australian Christian Book of the Year

Young Australian Christian Writer Award

Australian Christian Teen Writer Award