The Spark Prize

The Spark Prize is your chance to win $5000 and develop a narrative non-fiction project from a budding idea to a publishable book with the guidance of Hardie Grant’s professional editorial team. This biennial, joint venture between Hardie Grant Books and RMIT Writing and Publishing aims to foster talent in the narrative non-fiction genre, providing the successful applicant with the essential tools they’ll need to drive their book proposal to publication.
 
Narrative non-fiction is a style of non-fiction that tells a fact-based, compelling story using the techniques of fiction writing. It includes (but is not limited to) memoir, hybrid memoir, biography, history, current affairs, popular science, journalism, creative non-fiction, cultural studies and humour. We’re looking for book ideas that will captivate and intrigue a wide audience.

This is a development prize, meaning we are not looking for full manuscripts. Instead, we are asking for proposals. The Spark Prize is free and open to all Australian residents over 18.

Proposal requirements:

• a project title
• a brief author bio (maximum 300 words)
• a one-page synopsis of your project
• a detailed chapter outline (maximum 3000 words)
• and a sample (maximum 5000 words) of a book-length work-in-progess

The 2022 winner of the Spark Prize will receive: 

• $5000 prize money, 
• a tailored six-month mentorship with Hardie Grant’s editorial team, 
• and a week-long residency at RMIT’s gorgeous McCraith House on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. 

Four shortlistees will also receive: 

• a book bundle (valued at $250) from Hardie Grant Books,
• and a two-hour editing session with a Hardie Grant editor.

Key Dates:

Submissions will open for the next Spark Prize in 2025.

Spark Prize submission guidelines and information: