With prize money of $30,000, the new ARA Historical Novel Prize gives Australian and New Zealand historical novelists the chance to be recognised in a class of their own, with the most significant prize purse for any genre-based prize in Australasia.
The ARA Historical Novel Prize has been made possible by the generosity of our principal partner, ARA Group, which has ensured the success of our last two biennial conferences with their continuing support.
We’re also delighted to involve regional Australia in our endeavour with the New England Writers’ Centre kindly administering the 
submission process.
ABOUT THE PRIZE
The ARA Historical Novel Prize is open to authors who are citizens or residents of Australia or New Zealand. Books published between 1 January 2019 and 30 June 2020 are eligible for entry. Entries may be submitted by authors, publishers or agents. Self-published books are also eligible. Now Australian and New Zealand historical novelists have a chance to be rewarded for excellence in writing, depth of research, and reader appeal.
The submission period is now open. Closing date for entries is 30 June 2020.
KEY DATES
- Opening date: 1st May 2020 at 9am AEST
- Closing date for entries: 30th June 2020 at 5pm AEST
- Longlist of 6 books announced: Mid September 2020
- Shortlist of 3 books announced: Mid October 2020
- Prize winner announced: 18th November 2020
COVID19
HNSA extends its best wishes to all during this difficult time. The good news is that the timetable for the contest has not been affected to date. HNSA also recognises that postal delays may occur due to the impact of COVID19 restrictions on the Australian and New Zealand postal services. Leeway for late lodgement will be allowed for entries received after the deadline provided the post office time stamp pre-dates 30 June 2020. It is recommended that nominators keep a tracking ID number as proof of postage.
After the close of submissions, HNSA will reconcile Trybooking ticket transactions against the list of titles lodged. If a title has not been received, HNSA will contact the nominator to ascertain when and from where the entry was sent. Please do not contact HNSA to seek confirmation of receipt of an entry.
ABOUT THE JUDGES
Our panel consists of our Chair, Linda Funnell, co-editor of the Newtown Review of Books, freelance editor and publishing consultant; Paula Morris, historical novelist, academic and founder of the Academy of New Zealand Literature; Kirsty Murray, historical novelist, Creative Fellow of the State Library of Victoria and Asialink Literature Resident in India; and Colin Falconer, author of over two dozen novels of historical fiction translated across 23 languages.
DEFINITION OF HISTORICAL FICTION
- A novel written at least 50 years after the events described (in 2020, this means the setting should be before 1970); or
- A novel written by someone who was not alive at the time of those events and who therefore approaches them only by research. (If the entire setting is more recent than 1970, the author’s age will be relevant to determine if the book is deemed to be historical fiction.)
- Historical sub-genres considered to be historical fiction include historical mystery, historical romance, and historical fantasy. Alternate history, pseudo histories, time-slip novels, multiple-time novels, and parallel narrative novels are also considered historical fiction with flexibility to crossover between eras stretching from 50 years or more in the past until contemporary times.
- For the purposes of the Prize, historical novels written for children and young adults are also deemed to be a historical sub-genre.
For more information email contact@hnsa.org.au
ABOUT ARA GROUP
ARA Group provides a comprehensive range of building services and products to major customers throughout Australia and New Zealand and – through its workplace giving program, The ARA Endowment Fund – plays a proud and positive role in the community.
The ARA Endowment Fund currently donates 100 per cent of the interest earned annually to The Go Foundation, The Indigenous Literacy Foundation and The David Lynch Foundation.
ARA Group has also sponsored the Historical Novel Society Australasia’s biennial conferences since 2017, is Principal Partner of Sydney Writers Festival, the Monkey Baa Theatre, the National Institute of Dramatic Art, and Presidential Partner of Taronga Zoo.
