The State Library of NSW has announced the winners of its Emerging Author’s Awards, with a total of $5000 presented. This was a one-off opportunity for new and emerging authors is part of the State Library’s ongoing commitment to engaging children and young people with stories about its collection - and the winners are two SCBWI members!
The prize for the first category — a manuscript of a children’s picture book about the State Library of NSW, its buildings or a collection item/items — has been awarded to Victoria Mackinlay.
The judges commended Victoria’s work for its well-researched and engaging showcase of State Library collection items, and interesting and thorough introduction to the Library for young children.
Victoria said, ‘I was so honoured and excited to win this fantastic award alongside Julie. It was a sheer joy researching and writing my manuscript, tumbling down various rabbit holes as I learnt about the Library, its building and the many unique and marvellous treasures in its collection.’
The prize for the second category — a manuscript of a children’s picture book about Ethel Turner, the author of Seven Little Australians — has been awarded to Abbey Lane.
Abbey’s work was selected for its interesting structure and the lovely reference to Ethel Turner and her head ‘full of ideas’. Award judge Paul Macdonald noted that he saw great potential in this work.
Abbey said she was ‘really stoked and doubly so to be receiving this honour alongside Victoria Mackinlay.’ She also added, ‘I received three rejections the next day, and, for the first time, they did not sting so bad.’
Abbey lives in the same suburb as Ethel’s childhood home, so this was especially lovely. One of her favourite things is hanging out in the Friend’s room at the State Library – climate permitting. The library has the option to publish the stories.
You can read more about the award here: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/learning/award-emerging-childrens-authors?fbclid=IwAR32nNiipgFcuvWKfUfR5TFLvbDkPshz__Hnpeb-SH9_ZKjNfEhpS6pzvtQ
Ways you can find both Victoria and Abbey.
WEBSITE: www.abbeylane.net.au and https://www.victoriamackinlay.com/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/abbeylaneauthor and https://www.instagram.com/victoriamackinlay/?hl=en
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/AbbeyLaneAuthor and https://twitter.com/vmackinlay
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/abbeylane.net.au and https://www.facebook.com/vmackinlay