Giramondo again at forefront of literary awards
Two new books printed by the Giramondo (opens in a new window) publishing house at the University of Western Sydney have been shortlisted for one of the country's oldest literary awards, the Australian Literature Society Gold Medal.
Alexis Wright, a Distinguished Fellow at the UWS Writing and Society Research Centre, has been shortlisted for The Swan Book (opens in a new window), a novel set in a future dominated by climate change and the continued surveillance of Aboriginals in the north of the country.
Also in contention is UWS Doctoral Candidate Luke Carman for his debut novel An Elegant Young Man (opens in a new window), a collection of monologues and stories set in Western Sydney.
Professor Ivor Indyk, Giramondo publisher and Whitlam Chair in the Writing and Society Research Centre, has paid tribute to both authors.
"The Australian Literature Society Gold Medal is one of the most prestigious awards in the country, and to have two authors on the shortlist - both members of the Centre - is a real honour," says Professor Indyk.
"Alexis Wright won the medal (opens in a new window) in 2008 for her novel Carpentaria, and it is wonderful to see her on the list again for her new novel The Swan Book."
"But the remarkable achievement is to have Luke Carman's collection of Western Sydney stories An Elegant Young Man on the shortlist – we all knew it was a great book, but to have others recognise its value is especially rewarding."
The Australian Literature Society Gold Medal is awarded annually for an outstanding literary work, with past winners including Patrick White, Frank Moorhouse and Michelle de Kretser.
The judges expressed their thanks to all the entrants as they announced the finalists.
"The excellence of the work submitted made our task difficult, but it was also exciting to experience the depth of talent present in the current Australian literary scene," say the judges.
Ends
3 March 2014
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