Hachette Australia, along with the Richell family, and in partnership with the Emerging Writers’ Festival (EWF) and Simpsons Solicitors, is delighted to announce the longlist for the 2023 Richell Prize for Emerging Writers.

The twenty Richell longlisted writers for 2023 are:

• Ada Lester
• Adele Rickerby
• Alex Sawyer
• Carrick Tomlin
• Chamberlain Zhang
• Eleanor Garran
• Franklin Richards
• Hannah Goldstein
• Jessica Sousa Ornelas
• Karen Johnson
• Kathy Sharpe
• Lucy Nelson
• Luisa Mitchell
• Madhukar Nallamani
• Nick Gilpin
• Olivia Dezilva
• Shashini Gamage
• Svetlana Sterlin
• Tee Lindon
• Victoria Manifold

The writers on this longlist will be judged on the first three chapters of their submitted work, along with a synopsis outlining the direction of the proposed work and details about how their writing career would benefit from winning the Prize. The winner will receive $10,000, donated by Hachette, along with a 12-month mentorship with one of their publishers. Hachette will work with the winning writer to develop their manuscript, with the first option to consider the finished work for publication.

The judging panel for 2023 includes Lindy Jones, from Abbey’s Bookshop; Nadia Johansen, editor and writer; David Parritt, from the Book People; Vanessa Radnidge, Head of Literary at Hachette Australia; and Hannah Richell, bestselling author.

Vanessa Radnidge, Head of Literary at Hachette, says, ‘In the ninth year of the Richell Prize, we received seven hundred entries. Thank you to all the writers who were brave enough to back their work and enter. The standard of entries this year was high. Everyone at Hachette, along with the Richell family, is delighted to present this Prize, and we are immensely grateful to EWF who help to make it a reality. Congratulations to the twenty longlisted writers.’

Jess Zanoni, EWF Richell Prize Coordinator says, ‘It has been a pleasure to coordinate the Richell Prize this year. Next year, EWF will have the honour of facilitating the Richell Prize for its 10th year in partnership with Hachette. We are proud of the contribution this Prize makes to the development and celebration of literary talent in Australia. Thank you to the twenty readers who worked with us to create this longlist and, of course, thank you to the people who submitted their manuscripts — your energy and dedication to your craft is no small feat. Congratulations also to the longlisted writers — we look forward to following your writing careers.’

The Prize shortlist will be announced on 10 October, with the winner announced on 2 November.