Literature

Shaun TanThe 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

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)

Read more about our board members

Literature sector plan

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