Five Islands Prize: For a first book of poetry

We are excited to announce a new annual prize for emerging poets.

This Prize for a first book of poetry includes a cash prize for the publisher as well as the chosen poet.

As many readers and poets know, Five Islands Press was a prominent independent Australian poetry publishing house for thirty-four years, from 1986 until 2007 under the direction of Ron Pretty, then until 2020 under a changing team of editors who kept the press going strongly. This new prize aims to support emerging poets, and at the same time honour the publishers who have shown confidence in these new poets.

Visit the Five Islands Press website to learn more about their history.

Emeritus Professor Kevin Brophy AM
Administrator for the Five Islands Prize

The 2022-23 Five Islands Prize was awarded to Dan Hogan and Cordite Books for Secret Third Thing.

Highly Commended:

• Time Machines by Caroline Williamson (Vagabond Press)

Commended:

• Moon Wrasse by Willo Drummond (Puncher & Wattmann)
• GREATEST HIT by Holly Isemonger (Vagabond Press)

Terms & Conditions

• This is an annual prize for a first already-published book-length collection of poetry by an Australian poet or a poet living and writing in Australia.
• The author of the prize-winning book will receive $2750 and the publisher will receive $1100.
• A book can be entered by the author or publisher.
• The book must contain at least thirty pages of poetry, have an ISBN, and be available through retail sales outlets.
• Self-published books are eligible as long as they meet the above criteria.
• For the 2023-2024 Prize, books published between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024 are eligible.
• Note: the prize aims to support professional publishers, in particular small-press, independent publishers.
• Submissions will open all year until 15 July 2024.
• There will be three judges, whose decision will be final.
• The Prize will be announced in late November, and presented shortly afterwards.
• Four copies of the submitted book are to be posted to PO Box 68 Brunswick Victoria 3056.
• Books submitted will not be returned.
• An email must be sent to Kevin Brophy at: kevinjb@unimelb.edu.au attesting that this is the poet’s first published book of poetry, and providing the book's publishing date, and contact details for the poet and the publisher.