The Queensland Literary Awards is a community driven awards program that was established in 2012. Like the former Queensland Premier's Literary Awards, the QLAs celebrate and promote outstanding Australian writing. The awards aim to seek out, recognize and nurture great talent in Australian writing. They draw national and international attention to some of our best writers and to Queensland’s recognition of outstanding Australian literature and publishing.
These Awards have a focus on supporting new writing through the Emerging Queensland Writer - Manuscript Award and Unpublished Indigenous writer - David Unaipon Award. "They give local writers and new writers something to aspire to."
The Queensland Literary Awards was established by a not-for-profit association of passionate Queensland volunteers and advocates for literature, in response to Queensland Premier Campbell Newman disestablishing the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards in 2012.
In 2012 and 2013 the program was run by a volunteer workforce. Following consultation with the QLA Inc. governing committee, 2014 saw the management of the QLA transition to State Library of Queensland (SLQ). While SLQ took on a leadership role in delivering the program, the aim was to continue to build on the existing genuinely collaborative model where the community and writing sector partners are key stakeholders.
The original Premier's awards were established by Peter Beattie, the then Premier of Queensland in 1998 and first awarded in 1999.
There are currently twelve award categories including:
Queensland Premier’s Award for a work of State SignificanceUniversity of Queensland Fiction Book AwardUniversity of Queensland Non-Fiction Book AwardGriffith University Young Adult Book AwardGriffith University Children's Book AwardUniversity of Southern Queensland History Book AwardUniversity of Southern Queensland Australian Short Story Collection - Steele Rudd AwardState Library of Queensland Poetry Collection - Judith Wright Calanthe AwardUnpublished Indigenous Writer - David Unaipon AwardEmerging Queensland Writer - Manuscript AwardQueensland Premier’s Young Publishers and Writers AwardsThe Courier-Mail People Choice Queensland Book of the YearThe Awards are judged by independent panels of writers, critics, academics and publishers. The Awards are presented to entrants whom judges deem to possess the highest literary merit.
Queensland Premier's Award for a work of State Significance - Warrior, Libby ConnorsThe Courier Mail People's Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award — On the road...with the kids, John AhernUniversity of Queensland Fiction Book Award — The Golden Age, Joan LondonUniversity of Queensland Non-Fiction Book Award — The Bush : Travels in the Heart of Australia, Don WatsonUniversity of Southern Queensland History Book Award — ANZAC, The Unauthorised Biography, Carolyn HolbrookState Library of Queensland Poetry Collection - Judith Wright Calanthe Award - Waiting for the Past, Les MurrayAustralian Short Story Collection - Steele Rudd Award — Merciless Gods, Christos TsiolkasGriffith University Young Adult Book Award — The Pause, John LarkinChildren's Book Award — A Single Stone, Meg McKinlayQueensland Premier's Young Publishers and Writers Awards - Megan McGrath and Rebecca JessenEmerging Queensland Author - Manuscript Award — Aurora, Elizabeth KasmerUnpublished Indigenous Writer - David Unaipon Award — The First Octoroon or Report of an Experimental Child, Andrew BoothThe Courier Mail People's Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award — How to do a Liver Transplant: Stories from my Surgical Life, Kellee SlaterUniversity of Queensland Fiction Book Award — The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Richard FlanaganUniversity of Queensland Non-Fiction Book Award — 1914: The Year the World Ended, Paul HamUniversity of Southern Queensland History Book Award — Broken Nation, Joan BeaumontState Library of Queensland Poetry Collection - Judith Wright Calanthe Award — Earth Hour, David MaloufAustralian Short Story Collection - Steele Rudd Award — Only the Animals, Ceridwen DoveyGriffith University Young Adult Book Award — The Cracks in the Kingdom, Jaclyn MoriartyChildren's Book Award — Refuge, Jackie French and Rules of Summer, Shaun Tan (joint winners)Emerging Queensland Author - Manuscript Award — We Come From Saltwater People, Cathy McLennanUnpublished Indigenous Writer - David Unaipon Award — It’s Not Just Black and White, Lesley & Tammy WilliamsThe Courier Mail People's Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award — The Secret Keeper, Kate MoretonDeloitte Fiction Book Award — Mullumbimby, Melissa LucashenkoUniversity of Queensland Non-Fiction Book Award — Boy, Lost, Kristina OlssonUniversity of Southern Queensland History Book Award — The Flash of Recognition, Jane LydonState Library of Queensland Poetry Collection - Judith Wright Calanthe Award — Jam Tree Gully, John KinsellaAustralian Short Story Collection - Steele Rudd Award — Like a House on Fire, Cate KennedyGriffith University Young Adult Book Award — A Corner of White, Jaclyn MoriartyChildren's Book Award — Don't Let a Spoonbill in the Kitchen!, Narelle OliverGadens Feature Film Script Award — Healing, Craig Monahan and Alison NisselleEmerging Queensland Author - Manuscript Award — Gap, Rebecca JessenUnpublished Indigenous Writer - David Unaipon Award — Heat and Light, Ellen van NeervenFiction Book Award — Cold Light, Frank MoorhouseNon-Fiction Book Award — The People Smuggler, Robin De CrespignyHistory Book Award — he Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines Made Australia, Bill GammageLiterary or Media Work Advancing Public Debate - Harry Williams Award — The Australian Moment: How We Were Made For These Times, George MegalogenisScience Writers Award — Sex, Genes & Rock 'n' Roll, Rob BrooksPoetry Collection - Judith Wright Calanthe Award — Crimson Crop, Peter RoseAustralian Short Story Collection - Steele Rudd Award — Turbulence, Janette Turner HospitalYoung Adult Book Award — The Ink Bridge, Neil GrantChildren's Book Award — Kumiko and the Shadow Catchers, Briony StewartFilm Script Award — Dead Europe, Louise FoxEmerging Queensland Author - Manuscript Award — Island of the Unexpected, Catherine TitaseyUnpublished Indigenous Writer - David Unaipon Award — Story, Siv ParkerDrama Script (Stage) Award — War Crimes, Angela BetzienTelevision Script Award — Mabo, Sue Smith