Welcome to the Ampersand Prize entry portal. Before you begin, please ensure you are familiar with the full entry guidelines, which can be found here. To submit your entry, you will need the following:
- A full manuscript
- A one-page synopsis
- A 100-word explanation of why you wrote the book (used only for context within the judging committee).
Each writer may submit one completed manuscript, of either middle-grade or young adult fiction (all genres are welcome, including graphic novels). At this time we are not accepting short-story collections, non-fiction, or chapter books for junior fiction readers. You may submit the same manuscript two times only in different years, so long as you are able to articulate what has changed between submissions; after two times, the project cannot be submitted again. The prize is open to writers who have not had a young adult, middle grade, or graphic novel published with a trade publisher. Entries close at midnight on Sunday 31 July.
You will receive an automatic response to confirm we have received your entry. We aim to notify all writers of the outcome of their submission, with the shortlist to be announced in October.
If you have any questions about the Ampersand Prize, you can email us at ampersand@hardiegrant.com.au and we will respond as soon as we can. Please note submissions will not be accepted via this email address.