This year, Festival launched the Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards, offering $10,000 in cash prizes to recognise and honour outstanding contributions to the literary and design landscape.
The Heart Awards’ mission is to spotlight the diverse talents within the Australian creative community while also paying homage to the Whitsunday’s Heart Reef.
Festival President Karen Jacobsen expressed enthusiasm for the awards program, “We believe in celebrating the richness of Australian creativity in all its forms. The Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards are a testament to our commitment to nurturing creativity.”
The Heart Awards comprise four distinct categories:
• The Gloria Burley Award for Best Unpublished Manuscript,
• The Published Book Cover Design Award
• Best Short Story Award (adult and under 18 years old divisions)
• Poetry Prize.
Gloria Burley was the driving force in the establishment of the Whitsunday Writers Festival, which ran 2010-17. She penned two books titled A Rolling Stone Gathers No Husbands, chronicled many of her travels, and Blood & Guts that sums up her exploits as a nurse in regional Australia. Gloria passed away from cancer in 2018.
“What better way to recognise the Gloria’s legacy than initiate a creative writing award named in her honour,” said Karen.
Both long and shortlists of finalists have been announced ahead of the festival. Winners will be announced 9am-10am Saturday 7 September at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.
WHAT: Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards announcement
WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club, Airlie Beach
REGISTRATION: Session only tickets start from $21 from www.whitsundayswriters.com
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