Five Islands Prize: For a first book of poetry

We are proud to be providing a significant annual prize that supports emerging poets and honours the publishers who have shown confidence in new poets.

Unique among literary awards, this prize for a first book of poetry includes a cash prize for the publisher as well as the chosen poet.

As many readers and poets know, Five Islands Press was a prominent independent Australian poetry publishing house for thirty-four years, from 1986 until 2007 under the direction of Ron Pretty, then until 2020 under a changing team of editors who kept the press going strongly.

Ron pretty's legacy continues to build through several projects. The most recent incarnation of 5 Islands Press, initiated and administered by Mark Tredinnick and Steve Meyrick publishes the work of new, emerging and established Australian poets. Although the publishing press and the prize share a name, there is no financial, legal, administrative or institutional connection between 5 Islands Press and the Five Islands Poetry Prize. What we do share is a commitment to honouring the memory of a teacher and poet who contributed so much to the cause of Australian poetry. Learn more about 5 Islands Press by visiting their website 5 Islands Press

Visit the Five Islands Press website to learn more about their history.

Emeritus Professor Kevin Brophy AM
Administrator for the Five Islands Prize

The 2022-23 Five Islands Prize was awarded to Dan Hogan and Cordite Books for Secret Third Thing.

Highly Commended:

• Time Machines by Caroline Williamson (Vagabond Press)

Commended:

• Moon Wrasse by Willo Drummond (Puncher & Wattmann)
• GREATEST HIT by Holly Isemonger (Vagabond Press)

Terms & Conditions

• This is an annual prize for a first already-published book-length collection of poetry by an Australian poet or a poet living and writing in Australia.
• The author of the prize-winning book will receive $2750 and the publisher will receive $1100.
• A book can be entered by the author or publisher.
• The book must contain at least thirty pages of poetry, have an ISBN, and be available through retail sales outlets.
• Self-published books are eligible as long as they meet the above criteria.
• For the 2023-2024 Prize, books published between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024 are eligible.
• Note: the prize aims to support professional publishers, in particular small-press, independent publishers.
• Submissions will open all year until 15 July 2024.
• There will be three judges, whose decision will be final.
• The Prize will be announced in late November, and presented shortly afterwards.
• Four copies of the submitted book are to be posted to PO Box 68 Brunswick Victoria 3056.
• Books submitted will not be returned.
• An email must be sent to Kevin Brophy at: kevinjb@unimelb.edu.au attesting that this is the poet’s first published book of poetry, and providing the book's publishing date, and contact details for the poet and the publisher.