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
New investment in Australian creativity
Rupert Myer AM, Chair of the Australia Council for the Arts has today welcomed the launch of the National Cultural Policy and response to the recommendations of the Australia Council review. Read more >
Unique Indigenous story teller awarded
Indigenous writer, poet and story teller Herb Wharton has been awarded the Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature; a $50,000 award that recognises the achievements of eminent writers who have made outstanding and lifelong contributions to Australian literature.
Literature Board members
- Sophie Cunningham (Chair), author, 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)
- Jason Nelson, digital poet and electronic literature writer (Qld)
- James Roy, author, freelance writer and photographer (NSW)
Useful links
- NSW Writers Centre
- Tasmanian Writers’ Centre
- Victorian Writers’ Centre
- South Australian Writers’ Centre
- Northern Territory Writers’ Centre
- Queensland Writers Centre
- The Literature Centre
- Centre for Youth Literature
- Australian Society of Authors
- Australian Writers Guild
- Express Media
- Australian Publishers Association
- Small Press Network
- Australian Poetry
- Varuna The Writers’ House (Eleanor Dark Foundation)
- Writing WA
Available Grants
- Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature - 30 July 2013
- Promotion - 01 October 2013
- Publishing - 01 October 2013
- Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Publishing Initiative - 01 October 2013
- Program - 01 October 2013
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
Jill Eddington, Director
phone 02 9215 9031, email j.eddington@australiacouncil.gov.au
Nicola Evans, Program Manager (Promotion Grants)
phone 02 9215 9045, email n.evans@australiacouncil.gov.au
Lucy Byrne, Program Officer (Publishing Grants - Australian Book Publishers, Program Grants, LOTE Publishing Initiative)
phone 02 9215 9091, email l.byrne@australiacouncil.gov.au
Joanne Simpson, Program Officer (New Work, New Work Digital and New Media Writing Grants, Fellowships, Creative Australia (Book2), Creative Australia Fellowships, Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature)
phone 02 9215 9057, email j.simpson@australiacouncil.gov.au
Karen Tait, Program Officer (Publishing Grants – Australian Literary Magazines and International Publishers, New Work, New Work Digital and New Media Writing Grants, Fellowships, Creative Australia (Book2)
phone 02 9215 9054, email k.tait@australiacouncil.gov.au
Alex Robinson, Administration Officer (General enquiries)
phone 02 9215 9052, email a.robinson@australiacouncil.gov.au