These grants support the publication of literary work by Australian writers in Australia and overseas. 

Applications for this grant close 30 March 2012
Decisions will be advised in mid-July 2012
Funded projects can start 1 August 2012

Rounds

About the grant

Publishing grants support the publication of literary work by Australian writers in Australia and overseas.

Applications are accepted from Australian book publishers and overseas book and magazine publishers.

Australian publishers may apply for assistance with their annual literary publishing program or for Special Publishing Grants.

Overseas publishers may apply for assistance to publish translations of works in English by or about living Australian writers. 

Organisations seeking funding for promotional activities should apply to the promotions category.

Proposals must focus on multi-state, national or overseas literary publishing.

Applications will be accepted in the following genres only:

• Fiction
• Literary non-fiction (defined by the board as autobiography, biography, essays, histories, literary criticism or analytical prose)
• Children’s literature
• Poetry
• Writing for performance (theatre, radio)
• Writing for new media (defined by the board as original works of a literary nature for delivery predominantly via computer, mobile phone or similar device)
• Graphic novels and illustrated picture books.

Multiple and hybrid genre projects are accepted.

Works for new media will be accepted where projects display either a poetic aesthetic, a narrative structure, a developed fictive world or a sustained analysis of events of a non-fiction nature, in line with the board’s definition of literary non-fiction. Works may include audience participation, user-generated content, and/or game-play, but must have a clear and consistent story world.

Please note:

The literature board does not assist in the creation of film and television scripts; competitions or prizes; textbooks and other works created for primary, secondary and tertiary educational purposes; newsletters; books which are primarily works of interviews; local and oral histories; military studies; instruction manuals; how-to books; academic theses or course work (including course work in creative writing); bibliographies; dictionaries; encyclopaedias; professional reference titles; guide books; catalogues; self-help, lifestyle and hobby books; or works of physical or natural sciences, theology, psychology, cooking, medicine or law.

In the case of new media applications, the literature board does not support works intended for delivery predominantly via cinema or television screen or works intended as marketing support for another work.

Publishers are not eligible to apply for assistance to fund the publication of their own written work.

Contact

Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss their application with the relevant Australia Council team member. For further information, or to discuss your proposal, please contact:

       Lucy Byrne
       Program Officer, Literature
       Phone 02 9215 9091, l.byrne@australiacouncil.gov.au

These grants support the publication of literary work by Australian writers in Australia and overseas. 

Applications for this grant close 30 March 2012
Decisions will be advised in mid-July 2012
Funded projects can start 1 August 2012

Eligibility

This category is open to Australian and international organisations only. To be eligible, you must meet the general eligibility requirements and any specific eligibility requirements provided for specific grants.

Additional to the general eligibility requirements, you must meet the following specific eligibility requirements:

Australian Book Publishers

Applications from Australian book publishers will only be accepted for the 30 March 2012 closing date. 

The Literature Board assists Australian publishers to publish excellent literary work by Australian writers through annual publishing program grants and special publishing grants.

Applications are accepted from Australian book publishers registered with the Literature Board  for assistance to publish titles  in eligible genres between 1 August 2012 and 31 July 2013. 

These grants are for a publisher’s annual literary publishing program and funding will be awarded based on the quality of the entire program.

It is up to the publisher to present a convincing case to the Board for support.

Publishers are not eligible to apply for assistance to fund the publication of their own written work.

Publishing Program Grants

Publishing program grants are available for established publishers and emerging publishers.

It will be up to the publisher to present a convincing case to the Literature Board.

Established Publishers

An established publisher is a professional book publisher with an on-going literary publishing program, who has consistently published titles of high literary merit and has received a minimum of five Literature Board book publishing grants.

Depending on the size of the publishing list, established publishers are eligible to apply for a maximum of $35,000.

Emerging Publishers

An emerging publisher must have received a minimum of two and no more than four Literature Board book publishing grants and demonstrate publishing experience to date OR a proven track record with five literary titles published at least two of which must have been published in the year prior to application. Emerging publishers must also publish a minimum of three new literary titles per year.

Depending on the size of the publishing list, emerging publishers are eligible to apply for a maximum of $15,000.

Publishers may apply for assistance with any aspect of the publishing process (excluding overheads) of their literary publishing program including commissioning fees, marketing, promotion, production and editorial costs.

Publishing program grants can be used to fund any format or platform of delivery of new literary titles. For instance, print books, e-books and literary apps.

Reprints and new editions

Publishing program grants can be directed towards reprints or new editions of classic literary works by living or deceased Australian authors within a publishing program.

Print Run requirements

There are no minimum print run requirements.

Special Publishing Grants

Special publishing grants are available for a ‘one-off’, larger, innovative publishing project.

A publisher can apply for up to $50,000 for a single project, for support for editing, manuscript development, production, digital conversion, permissions fees, or any large costs associated with the publication of one-off ‘special’ titles or a series of titles.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss the project with Literature Board staff prior to making an application.

A publisher can apply for a Publishing Program Grant and/or a Special Publishing Grant. 

Literature Board registration

All publishers must be registered with the Literature Board before they can submit an application. To register with the Literature Board, publishers must be legally constituted as an organisation, demonstrate a proven track record of publishing quality titles, with at least five literary titles, at least two of which must have been published in the year prior to application plus a minimum of three new literary titles per year.

Publishers must also have works commercially available for sale with effective national promotion and distribution systems.

Publishers who receive payment from writers to publish their works are not eligible for registration.

To register with the Literature Board, applicants must contact Literature Board staff at least four weeks prior to the application closing date and submit the registration form located at the bottom of this page. Please contact Literature Board staff on (02) 9215 9091.

Overseas book and magazine publishers (for the publication of translations or work in English)

Applications from overseas applicants will be accepted for the 30 March and 2 October 2012 closing dates.

Overseas book and magazine publishers may apply for assistance to publish overseas editions of the work of living Australian writers in eligible genres; works of cultural significance which are substantially by or about living Australian writers; or issues of magazines devoted to Australian creative writing.

You may only submit one application per closing date.

Funding support for more than one title must be included within the same application.

Please note that monetary amounts are in Australian dollars.

Overseas publishers in languages other than English may apply for up to $5,000 per title towards writers’ and translators’ fees and/or publication costs.

Publishers must demonstrate that appropriate payments will be made to writers and/or translators.

At least 500 copies of each title must be printed.

Overseas English language publishers may apply for subsidies of up to $5,000 for fiction title and non-literary non-fiction titles, $2,500 per title for playscripts and $3,000 per title for poetry towards writers’ fees and/or publication costs.

The Board encourages applications from overseas publishers who are establishing an Australian list.

Selection criteria

Australian Book Publishers

Selection criteria

Applications must demonstrate:

• Literary merit and extent of the publishing program
• The publisher’s proven track record and reputation for publishing high quality literary titles.

Overseas book and magazine publishers

Selection criteria

Applications must demonstrate:

• Literary merit, including the writers and translators involved, and the potential to expand the readership of Australian literature nationally and/or internationally
• Evidence of the organisation’s thorough planning and ability to carry out the proposal to a high standard.
  

Selection process

The Literature Board will assess applications according to the selection criteria above. The outcomes will be published as a Grant Assessment Report.

For more information on the assessment process, please see the page on Assessment of applications in the Information for applicants section.

These grants support the publication of literary work by Australian writers in Australia and overseas. 

Applications for this grant close 30 March 2012
Decisions will be advised in mid-July 2012
Funded projects can start 1 August 2012

How to apply

You are encouraged to apply online for this category. To begin an online application, use the 'Apply online' button in the right-hand column.

For other ways to apply, please see the information on making an application in the Funding Guide for 2012.

Supporting materials

You must provide evidence of your eligibility and all required support material by the application closing date.

Australian book publishers must submit the following support material with the application:

• Australian book publishers must submit a list of all titles included in their literary publishing program for which funding is sought for the period 1 August 2012 to 31 July 2013.
• All publishers must include the following information for each title on the list: author's name and brief biographical detail, title of the book, genre, new title or reprint, format, publication date, 200 word description of the title.

Overseas publishers must submit the following support material with the application:

• Overseas book and magazine publishers must submit a copy of the signed contract between the publisher and the Australian rights holder
• Overseas book and magazine publishers must submit a curriculum vitae of nominated authors and translators
• Overseas book and magazine publishers may include a copy of a recent publication or a catalogue of titles available for sale (unless these have been submitted in the six months prior to the application).
  

Support material before the board meeting

Some applicants may be required to submit additional support material as detailed below. This support material can be submitted after the closing date but must be submitted before the board meeting if your application is to be eligible for consideration. The date by which this support material must be received is 10 working days before the board meeting.

When proposals are submitted from organisations or individuals that involve major performing arts board (MPAB)-funded companies, a letter of agreement between the applicant and the MPAB-funded company must be provided to both the MPAB and the literature board. For further details, please contact MPAB staff directly.

In line with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts policy and its underpinning principles, the Australia Council requires that applications for projects containing representations of artistic/cultural practice or intended outcomes relating to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists or communities must provide letters from relevant communities or artists. Letters must show clear evidence of support and agreement for the activities undertaken. In preparing your application, you may wish to consult the Indigenous protocol guides in song, performance, writing, new media and visual arts.

Important information

Any material supplied in addition to the required support material will not be considered in the assessment of your application. If you need assistance in determining the support material you are required to submit or when it must be submitted, please contact Australia Council staff.

We recommend you also read the FAQs for supporting materials submitted with your application.

Application checklist

We encourage you to use this handy checklist to help you prepare and submit your application. You should:

1. read the Funding Guide for 2012, in particular the general eligibility requirements, the information on making an application and the information on how your application will be assessed;
2. read all of the information provided for this grant (across all the tabs above);
3. get in contact with the grant contact person to discuss your application;
4. prepare your application, being mindful that you address all of the eligibility and selection criteria for this grant; and
5. submit your application form online using the 'Apply online' button in the right-hand column.

These grants support the publication of literary work by Australian writers in Australia and overseas. 

Applications for this grant close 30 March 2012
Decisions will be advised in mid-July 2012
Funded projects can start 1 August 2012

General FAQs

Specific frequently asked questions (FAQs) relating to this grant are listed below. Please regularly check for updates as new questions may be published during the grant round. We recommend you also read the general FAQs for all grants and the FAQs for supporting materials submitted with your application.

Under which category should organisations apply?

Legally constituted organisations can apply under the Publishing, Promotion, Program, or Key Organisations Triennial grant categories. Organisations can apply for funding towards publishing and promotional activities and to publish literary magazines. Overseas publishers apply under the Publishing or the Promotion grant category.

Program grants and Key Organisations Triennial grants have strict eligibility requirements and you should refer to the Australia Council’s website for further information on these grants.

What should be submitted with the application?

Specific support material is required from organisations. Please refer to the Support Material requirements for each category on our website.

How do you become a registered publisher with the Literature Board?

All publishers must be registered with the Literature Board before they can submit an application. To register with the Literature Board, publishers must be legally constituted as an organisation, demonstrate a proven track record of publishing quality titles, with at least five literary titles, at least two of which must have been published in the year prior to application plus a minimum of three new literary titles per year.

Publishers must also have works commercially available for sale with effective national promotion and distribution systems.

Publishers who receive payment from writers to publish their works are not eligible for registration.

To register with the Literature Board, applicants must contact Literature Board staff at least four weeks prior to the application closing date and submit a registration form. Please contact Literature Board staff on (02) 9215 9091.

What is the application closing date for Australian book publishers?

Applications from Australian book publishers will only be accepted for the 30 March 2012 closing date for assistance to publish titles in eligible genres between 1st August 2012 and 31 July 2013.

What is the application closing date for international book publishers?

Applications from international book publishers will be accepted for the 30 March and 2 October 2012 closing dates. Projects must commence 1 August 2012 and 1 January 2013, respectively and must be completed within 6 months of the nominated start date.

What is the application closing date for Australian literary magazines?

Applications from Australian literary magazines will only be accepted for the 2 October 2012 closing date. Projects must commence 1st January 2013 and be completed within 12 months of the nominated start date.

How much money can Australian book publishers apply for?

Established Publishers

An established publisher is a professional book publisher with an on-going literary publishing program, who has consistently published titles of high literary merit and has received a minimum of five Literature Board book publishing grants.

Depending on the size of the publishing list, established publishers are eligible to apply for a maximum of $35,000.

Emerging Publishers

An emerging publisher must have received a minimum of two and no more than four Literature Board book publishing grants and demonstrate publishing experience to date OR a proven track record with five literary titles published at least two of which must have been published in the year prior to application. Emerging publishers must also publish a minimum of three new literary titles per year.

Depending on the size of the publishing list, emerging publishers are eligible to apply for a maximum of $15,000.

Publishers may apply for assistance with any aspect of the publishing process (excluding overheads) of their literary publishing program including commissioning fees, marketing, promotion, production and editorial costs.

Publishing program grants can be used to fund any format or platform of delivery of new literary titles. For instance, print books, e-books and literary apps.

How much money can overseas book and magazine publishers apply for?

Overseas book and magazine publishers may apply for assistance to publish overseas editions of the work of living Australian writers in eligible genres; works of cultural significance which are substantially by or about living Australian writers; or issues of magazines devoted to Australian creative writing.

Publishers in languages other than English may apply for up to $5,000 per title towards writers’ and translators’ fees and/or publication costs. Publishers must demonstrate that appropriate payments will be made to writers and/or translators. At least 500 copies of each title must be printed.

Overseas English language publishers can apply for subsidies of up to $5,000 per fiction title or literary non-fiction title, $2,500 per title for playscripts and $3,000 per title for poetry, towards writers' fees and/or publication costs.

Applications for more than one title must be included within the same application.

 
What is the minimum print run for publishing grants?

For Australian book publishers there are no minimum print run requirements.

International publishers must print at least 500 copies of each title.

Australian literary magazines must have a minimum circulation of 500 subscribers/copies sold per issue or 10,000 copies per issue distributed free of charge (or 1,000 unique page views per month for online magazines) and must be distributed nationally i.e. in every state and territory.

Are new literary magazines eligible to apply for support?

Australian literary magazines applying for funding must have published a minimum of two issues of the magazine by the application closing date and publish at least two issues per year.

Are online magazines eligible to apply for support?

Yes, under the Publishing grant category.

Does the Literature Board support the promotion of Australian writers and writing?

Yes, under its Promotion grant program, Australian and international organisations may apply for assistance with fares (economy class only), fees and expenses for Australian writers to participate in literary festivals and conferences and other promotional activities. Events staged within Australia must satisfy the Literature Board’s definition of ‘multi-state’; that is they must include Australian writers from more than one state or territory and/or occur in more than one state or territory.

The Literature Board does not assist with the costs of writers undertaking individual author tours within Australia or of writers travelling overseas to attend academic conferences.
Australian and international organisations may apply to either of our two Publishing or Promotion closing dates: 30 March 2012 for activities commencing from 1 August 2012 and 2 October 2012 for activities commencing from 1 January 2013.