Literature
The literature board encourages and supports the creation, publication and promotion of Australian stories.
The board’s policies support the excellence, diversity and vitality of Australian stories through both print publication and digital media. It does this through direct grants to writers, support of the publishing industry and a variety of grants to assist in the promotion of Australian writers nationally and overseas.
A network of writers’ centres and genre-specific service organisations receive key organisation, triennial funding.
The main focus of the board is the creation of literary works. Literature Board program staff will advise on categories and genres that are not eligible for funding support. Read more about the board
Image: Shaun Tan, The Red Tree, Lothian Books 2001
Latest News and Projects
Literature Board members
- Sophie Cunningham (chair), author, journalist, editor and publisher (VIC)
- Brenda Walker, author and professor of English and Cultural Studies at the University of Western Australia (WA)
- Patricia Cornelius, playwright, novelist, dramaturg (VIC)
- Dyan Blacklock, publisher, Omnibus Books (SA)
- Dr Stuart Glover, writer and senior lecturer in the School of English Media Studies and Art History at the University of Queensland (Qld)
- Jason Nelson, digital poet and electronic literature writer (Qld)
- James Roy, author, freelance writer and photograhper (NSW)
Useful links
- NSW Writers Centre
- Tasmanian Writers’ Centre
- Victorian Writers’ Centre
- South Australian Writers’ Centre
- Northern Territory Writers’ Centre
- Queensland Writers Centre
- Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre
- Centre for Youth Literature
- Australian Society of Authors
- Australian Writers Guild
- Express Media
- Australian Publishers Association
- SPUNC
- Australian Poetry
- Varuna The Writers’ House (Eleanor Dark Foundation)
- Writing WA
- Writing Australia
- Centre for Youth Literature
Available Grants
- Creative Australia Fellowships - Young & Emerging artists (31 January 2012)
- Creative Australia Fellowships - Established artists (31 January 2012)
- Creative Australia (Book2) (15 May 2012)
- Fellowships (15 May 2012)
- New Work - Digital and New Media Writing Grants (15 May 2012)
- New Work (15 May 2012)
- Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature (15 May 2012)
- ArtStart (2 March 2012)
- Publishing Grants (30 March 2012)
- Publishing Grants (2 October 2012)
- Promotion Grants (30 March 2012)
- Promotion Grants (2 October 2012)
- Residencies (30 March 2012)
- Program (02 Oct 2012)
- Booked - Travel Fund for Publishers and Literary Agents
Literature sector plan

Read about our involvement with the sector, current issues, short and medium term goals and priorities for the sector. Find out more
Our team and contacts
General enquiries,
phone 02 9215 9052
Susan Hayes, Director
phone 02 9215 9031, email s.hayes@australiacouncil.gov.au
Nicola Evans, Program Manager (Creative Australia Fellowships, Promotion Grants)
phone 02 9215 9045, email n.evans@australiacouncil.gov.au
Joanne Simpson, Program Officer (New Work, New Work Digital and New Media Writing Grants, Fellowships, Creative Australia (Book2), Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature)
phone 02 9215 9057, email j.simpson@australiacouncil.gov.au
Lucy Byrne, Program Officer (Publishing Grants – Australian and International, Program Grants)
phone 02 9215 9052, email l.byrne@australiacouncil.gov.au


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