The KYD Unpublished Manuscript Award was established to support the development of early-career authors, offering them an opportunity to work with industry professionals and assisting them in creating publishing pathways. Now, in its fourth year, the KYD Unpublished Manuscript Award offers more development opportunities than ever.

In 2020 shortlisted writers will be awarded the KYD/Varuna Copyright Agency Fellowship, which includes:

  • 6 nights’ accommodation and all meals at the historic Varuna
  • Intensive and personalised editorial mentoring with KYD publishing director, Rebecca Starford, for the duration of the fellowship
  • Daily workshopping with other shortlisted writers
  • Additional professional development services facilitated by Varuna

The winner of the KYD Unpublished Manuscript Award will also receive a cash prize of $4000.

The judges for the 2020 award are Picador publisher Mathilda ImlahKYD​ publishing director Rebecca Starford and KYDUMA 2019 winner Sam van Zweden.

Please read our 2020 KYD Unpublished Manuscript Award Submission Guidelines and Terms & Conditions here. (UPDATED 21 APRIL)

To enter, you must have a current 12-month KYD Membership at time of submission. To subscribe from $32.95, please visit our shop. (Current members with six-month subscriptions can contact [email protected] to upgrade their memberships.)

KEY DATES:

Submissions close at 5pm AEST Thursday 30 April 2020.

Longlisted writers will be announced on 1 July, and shortlisted writers announced on 15 July.

The KYD/Varuna Copyright Agency Fellowship for shortlisted writers will take place from Monday 21 to Sunday 28 September (with date subject to change pending COVID-19 restrictions at the time), with the winner of the KYD Unpublished Manuscript Award announced in late November/early December.

The KYD/Varuna Copyright Agency Fellowship is supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund.