Tasmanian Premier's Literary Prizes


The Tasmanian Premier's Literary Prizes are awarded biennially in four categories. There are two panels of three judges: one for the book prizes, the other for the emerging writers and young writer's fellowship.

Tasmania Book Prize winners

Awarded for the best book with Tasmanian content.
YearTitleAuthorPublisher
2007In Tasmania: Adventures at the End of the WorldNicholas ShakespeareKnopf
2009Van Diemen's LandJames BoyceBlack Inc.
2011WantingRichard FlanaganRandom House
20131835: The Founding of Melbourne and the Conquest of AustraliaJames BoyceBlack Inc.
2015The Rise and Fall of Gunns LtdQuentin BeresfordNew South Publishing
2017Into the Heart of Tasmania: A Search for Human AntiquityRebe TaylorMelbourne University Press
2019Bridget CrackRachel LearyAllen & Unwin

Margaret Scott Prize winners

This prize, named in honour of well-known Tasmanian writer, Margaret Scott is awarded for the best book by a Tasmanian author.
YearTitleAuthorPublisher
2007Twilight of Love: Travels with TurgenevRobert DessaixPicador
2009Closing Hell's Gates: the Death of a Convict StationHamish Maxwell-StewartAllen & Unwin
2011What Now, Tilda B?Kathryn LomerUniversity of Queensland Press
2013The Roving PartyRohan WilsonAllen & Unwin
2015The Narrow Road to the Deep NorthRichard FlanaganRandom House Australia
2017The Museum of Modern LoveHeather RoseAllen & Unwin
2019FlamesRobbie ArnottText

University of Tasmania Prize winners

The first three awards were for best book by a Tasmanian publisher. Since 2013 the University of Tasmania Prize has been awarded for the best new unpublished literary work by an emerging Tasmanian writer.
YearTitleAuthorDetails
2007The Art of Apple Branding: Australian Apple Case Labels and the Industry Since 1788Christopher Cowles and David WalkerApples from Oz
2009Antarctic Eye: the Visual JourneyLynne AndrewsStudio One
2011Postcards from the AsylumKaren KnightPardalote Press
2013KublaKatherine JohnsonUnpublished emerging writer
2015SoonLois MurphyUnpublished emerging writer
2017Brodsky DiesAdam OustonUnpublished emerging writer
2019The Signal LineBrendan ColleyUnpublished emerging writer

Tasmanian Young Writer's Fellowship winners

Awarded to a young writer and sponsored by philanthropists. In its first year it was open to writers under 35, but for 2017 the age was lowered to under 30.
YearWriter
2015Robbie Arnott
2017Erin Hortle
2019Sam George-Allen