Australian Book Review


Australian Book Review is an Australian arts and literary review. Created in 1961, ABR is an independent non-profit organisation that publishes articles, reviews, commentaries, essays, and new writing. The aims of the magazine are 'to foster high critical standards, to provide an outlet for fine new writing, and to contribute to the preservation of literary values and a full appreciation of Australia's literary heritage'.

History and profile

Australian Book Review was established by Max Harris and Rosemary Wighton as a monthly journal in Adelaide, Australia, in 1961. In 1971 production was reduced to quarterly releases, and lapsed completely in 1974. In 1978 the journal was revived by the National Book Council and, moving to Melbourne, began producing ten issues per year.
ABR is currently in partnership with Monash University and Flinders University, and supported by various organisations including the Australia Council for the Arts, Creative Victoria, Arts SA, and Copyright Agency Limited.

Editors

is given annually. The prize, first awarded in 2007, is currently worth a total of A$7,500.
The prize is open to authors around the world writing in English. ABR accepts entries from published authors commentators, and emerging writers. All non-fiction subjects are eligible.

Winners

Australian Book Review established its annual Poetry Prize in 2005, and in 2011 renamed it the Peter Porter Poetry Prize in memory of the Australian poet Peter Porter. The Prize is one of Australia's most lucrative awards for poetry. Winning and short-listed entries are published in ABR. To date, Judith Bishop is the only poet to win the prize twice. The prize is open to poets around the world writing in English.
Entrants can submit a single poem of no more than 75 lines. Multiple entries are permitted, and all poems are judged anonymously.

Winners

Australian Book Review revived its annual short story competition in 2010, and in 2011 renamed it the ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize in memory of the late Australian writer, Elizabeth Jolley. The total prize money is now $12,500. The prize is open to authors around the world writing in English.

Winners

In 2012, Australian Book Review launched an extension of its coverage of Australian culture, Arts Update, now known as ABR Arts. It presents reviews of film and television, plays, operas, concerts, dance, and art exhibitions.

Podcasts

In 2015, Australian Book Review launched two podcasts: Poem of the Week and The ABR Podcast.

Fellowships

ABR's Fellowship program began in 2011. Funded by ABR's patrons and by philanthropic foundations, the Fellowship program is intended to reward Australian writers. Most ABR Fellowships are now worth $7,500.

Fellowships