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The State Library of South Australia is proud to manage the South Australian Literary Awards, which are held biennially. Formerly known as the Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature, 2024 heralds a new era for the Awards with the unveiling of a fresh look and new name.

These literary awards, introduced in 1986 by the Government of South Australia, celebrate Australia’s writing culture by offering national and state-based literary prizes across a range of genres. The Awards program includes fellowships for South Australian writers, highlighting the importance of our unique local writers, supporting the literary community and contributing to public engagement with literature. 

Winning authors will be announced at a ceremony at the State Library’s iconic Mortlock Chamber, to be held in November 2024.

Applications are now open.

Closing date for submissions is 5pm, Friday 15 December 2023.

Due to the large number of nominations expected, nominators are strongly encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of the closing date.

Download the guidelines

Please refer to the 2024 South Australian Literary Awards Guidelines for full information about eligibility and assessment of applications.

How to apply

Complete the relevant category online form and visit the following Award pages for further details:

National Awards for Published Works

Jill Blewett Playwright's Award

Arts South Australia Wakefield Press Unpublished Manuscript Award

Fellowships for South Australian Writers

Prepare your application

Full details of application requirements are available on the application forms, but as an overview, you will need to submit the following:

National Awards for Published Works

  • 4 print copies of the published work.

Jill Blewett Playwright's Award

  • 4 copies of all documents including:
    • the nominated play
    • 1 page synopsis of the play outline
    • CV or biography.

Arts South Australia Wakefield Press Unpublished Manuscript Award

  • 4 copies of manuscript and synopsis consisting of:
    • 1 copy marked with writer's name of the manuscript and a one page synopsis
    • 3 anonymous copies of the manuscript and a one page synopsis.

Fellowships for South Australian Writers

  • 4 copies of all documents:
    • activities outline
    • synopsis
    • CV or biography.

Post in your application pack

Send your application pack via post to:

South Australian Literary Awards
State Library of South Australia
GPO Box 419
Adelaide SA 5001

Please note that applications must be posted and cannot be delivered in person to the State Library.

Prizes for the 2024 South Australian Literary Awards

Premier's Award $25,000 for the best overall published work, chosen from the winners of the five national categories.
Children's Literature Award $15,000 for a published fiction or non-fiction book aimed at readers up to 11 years.
Fiction Award $15,000 for a published novel or collection of short stories.
Young Adult Fiction Award $15,000 for a published book of fiction aimed at readers aged 12 to 18 years.
Non-Fiction Award $15,000 for a published non-fiction work.
John Bray Poetry Award $15,000 for a published collection of poetry, in honour of late South Australian poet Dr John Bray.
Jill Blewett Playwright's Award $12,500 for an un-produced play of any genre written by a professional South Australian playwright. Supported by State Theatre Company South Australia.
Arts South Australia Wakefield Press Unpublished Manuscript Award $10,000 plus publication by Wakefield Press for an unpublished, book-length manuscript by a South Australian writer.
Max Fatchen Fellowship $15,000 for a South Australian writer for young people working in the genres of fiction, drama, poetry or screenwriting, named in honour of author Max Fatchen.
Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship $15,000 for a South Australian writer working in the areas of fiction, poetry, drama, scriptwriting, autobiography, essays, major histories, literary criticism or other expository or analytical prose. Named in honour of distinguished South Australian writer and visual artist Barbara Hanrahan.
Tangkanungku Pintyanthi Fellowship $15,000 for a South Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writer working in the genres of fiction, literary, non-fiction, poetry and playwriting.

Contact us

If you have any queries please contact:

South Australian Literary Awards
email: sa.literaryawards@sa.gov.au