The New England Writers’ Centre has announced the winners of this year’s New England Illustration Prize for Children’s Picture Book Publishing and the New England Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing.
Crime Writing Prize
The Thunderbolt Prize is a national award for unpublished short-form crime writing in three main categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction and Poetry. There are also three special awards: New England Award for a writer resident in New England; Emerging Author Award, for an unpublished writer over 18; and Youth Award, for writers under 18 years.
The winners of the 2024 New England Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing, are:
Fiction: Jane Downing (NSW) for Either the wallpaper goes, or I do.
Non-Fiction: Marie Low (NSW) for The Gunnedah Sensation.
Poetry: Roger Vickery (NSW) FOR A watchful blower addresses his prey.
New England Award: Jypsi Bennett (NSW) for Beneath the Blood Moon.
Emerging Author Award: Greg Tuchin (NSW) for Remains
Youth Award: Asher McLaughlin (NSW) for The Landmark Killer.
Now in its 12th year, the Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing continues to attract a strong field of entries from all over Australia, by writers both published and unpublished. The NEWC is particularly excited to see students from a wide variety of schools, from all over Australia, submitting to the Youth Category.
All entries were judged anonymously, and the New England Award and Emerging Author Awards were chosen based on final commendations across all categories. The winning entries, together with our judges’ reports, are published on the NEWC’s website.
Illustration Prize
Now in its ninth year, the New England Illustration Prize continues to attract a strong field of entries from all over Australia. This year’s theme invited artists and illustrators to imagine and create a colour illustration suitable for a children’s picture book on the theme “Reading is Magic”.
The outstanding imaginative and creative quality of the submissions deeply impressed our judges. The entrants responded to the theme with work that was touching, fantastical, humorous and relevant.
The winners of the 2024 New England Illustration Prize are:
1st Prize: Jennifer Goldsmith (NSW)
2nd Prize: Mel Corrigan (VIC)
3rd Prize: Luke Spindler (NSW)
The New England Writers’ Centre warmly congratulates all the winners.
Our esteemed judges this year were celebrated children’s illustrator and author, Cheryl Orsini, and Rochelle Stephens, publisher, editor and Director of Wombat Books and Rhiza Press.
All entries were judged anonymously and the awards were chosen based on a score from each judge on artistic merit, how well the art fitted the theme and suitability for children’s book publishing. The winning artwork and the judges’ comments will be published on the New England Writers’ Centre website.
“The New England Writers’ Centre wishes to thank our prestigious and thoughtful judges and the generous sponsorship of the Armidale Central Rotary Club, Little Pink Dog Books and Fine Art Imaging, for making 2024 another successful year for the Illustration Prize.” said officials with The New England Writers’ Centre.
“Finally, congratulations to all our entrants this year, for once again showcasing the incredible talent and creativity of Australia’s illustrators and deep commitment to children’s art and literature.”
More information about the 2024 Illustration Prize and the winning entries can be found at on the website.
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