Scribe hosted a live Q&A on our Facebook page last night so that we could answer your questions about the Scribe Nonfiction Prize for Young Writers. There were some fantastic questions, so we thought we'd share the responses here.
Scribe Editors Lesley Halm and David Golding were on hand giving some great advice, and we've also included some insights from Senior Editor Julia Carlomango.
We hope you find these helpful, and thanks to everyone for participating in the Q&A!
Are you open to emerging writers, or are you looking for authors more established?
We are open to both unpublished and published writers. The award is a developmental one, hoping to foster talented writers. For the submitted work itself, no more than 10% may have been previously published (in print or electronic form) on a commercial basis. And while previously published authors are eligible, the entry material must not be under consideration with any other publisher (though it may be submitted for another prize in which a publisher is co-sponsor). –David
Is there a particular kind of nonfiction that is preferred for the prize? For example, is it okay to submit experimental nonfiction?
We hope to see a variety of ambitious, daring, and thought-provoking work on a variety of topics, with a range of styles and approaches. We leave the prize WIDE OPEN, and available to work in a range of nonfiction genres, so that we can be surprised. We have had experimental pieces shortlisted in the past, and would be happy to see writing in this genre this year. –David
Is there scope within the rules for the inclusion of photos as part of a nonfiction narrative?
Yes, you could go down that route. We don't specifically have a rule that you can't, but if you were to include them it would have to be integral to the writing, and really further the point in some way. If it was just for the sake of being different or for standing out, etc, it could actually damage the overall effect. So have caution, I guess. –Lesley
Are there any issues that are perhaps particularly poignant in 2016 that you'd be excited about seeing in a new book?
Some of the subjects that have been on our minds of late include contemporary debates around gender and feminism, asylum-seekers, real estate, the decline of the resources boom in Australia, climate change and the environment, technology and its impact on our lives, and the role of art/artists/critics in contemporary culture. –David
What opportunities does the Scribe Nonfiction Prize give me?
One of our aims with this prize is to encourage several younger writers, not only one winner. The Scribe Nonfiction Prize offers developmental opportunities to all of the shortlisted writers. Shortlisted entrants receive: a book pack, detailed feedback on their entry, an invitation to an exclusive skills-development masterclass workshop with award-winning writers Melanie Joosten (Berlin Syndrome, A Long Time Coming) and Tom Doig (Moron to Moron, The Coal Face), plus an invitation to Scribe’s exclusive 40th birthday party in Melbourne, where you can hobnob with Scribe editors and various literati. –Julia
Is it okay to submit something that has more than one chapter/part? And is it okay to signal 'chapters' with the word 'chapter'?
Definitely! You can structure it how you like, so long as it reads well overall as one large piece. You can title your chapters creatively, too. Creative is good; it'll likely keep the reader interested longer. Not that you will be penalised for just having 'Chapter x' if that suits your purpose. –Lesley
If the submission includes references to other works/songs/media, would you need to include a reference list or bibliography?
It really depends on whether you think they're necessary to the piece. A complete piece of investigative journalism or serious criticism probably needs to demonstrate more in the way of clear research than a memoir or an excerpt of a larger work. But you need to think about your audience and how you want to guide them as an author. Do you think it's important that they be able to check what you've said, or find out more about a topic you've introduced? Or do you want them to stay with you? And if the latter, how are you earning their trust within the main text? –David
Do we have to submit a rationale for the work that we submit?
You don't have to, but you can if you want to. If you think it's important to your piece then go ahead, but keep it brief. –Lesley
What do you absolutely not want to see?
I'm not sure about what I don't want to see. I always love seeing writing in a style or on a topic that I DON'T LIKE but which then takes me in hand and leads me up its garden path. So I absolutely don't want to see the opposite of that. I hate reading a piece that I'm basically sympathetic too, but which I think is lazy, stupid, or ignorant. My advice is: (a) make me care, and (b) make me believe you. –David
What I don't want to see: tricky! Wooden prose, a topic that hasn't been thought through or researched, a vanity memoir that doesn't hold any interest outside of the person who lived it. Does that help? – Lesley
What inspires you?
What inspires me is the constant creativity and plenitude of the world... Specific books that have inspired me recently: A LOVING FAITHFUL ANIMAL (Josephine Rowe), ANCILLARY MERCY (Ann Leckie), WHEN THIS THING HAPPENED (Michael McKernan), THE FARAWAY NEARBY (Rebecca Solnit) and WAVE (Sonali Deraniyagala). –David
If we're talking inspirations, I loved SWITCHED ON by John Robison (about transcranial stimulation) and Jennifer Ackerman's GENIUS OF BIRDS. Beautiful, lyrical and informed writing. –Lesley
What do you think constitutes truly impressive non-fiction?
Good research, a sense of humour (if applicable), mixed with 'interest' anecdotes and a good story arc! –Lesley
What advice would you give to authors wanting to submit something for the Scribe Nonfiction Prize?
Advice: choose a topic that you are really wanting people to know about and that you are excited by. The enthusiasm and the depth of interest and knowledge in what you're talking about can really sweep you up. If you don't care, we'll know. –Lesley
What are some aspects within the work of previous winners that sold the deal for you?
The thing that really worked in the winning piece and in the two runner-up pieces — for me, anyway — was that I didn't have much prior knowledge nor that much interest in any of the topics that were being written about. A little-known politician, forced marriages, pokies in Australia — diverse topics, and ones that are ambitious and take a lot of guts to try to engage someone in. No matter what you're writing about, if you can take the reader on a journey and make them care, then you'll stand out. –Lesley
How long will the editorial mentorship (for the winner) go for? And what kinds of feedback will be given?
The mentorship component of the prize is flexible, depending on what form the winner wants it to take. The winner can expect a meeting with a Scribe senior editor or publisher to discuss their writing and their current projects. The mentorship will include regular contact with this editor or publisher over the following 12 months. –David
Will there be feedback for other entrants?
Shortlisted entrants will receive detailed feedback on their entry, and an invitation to an exclusive skills-development masterclass workshop with award-winning writers Melanie Joosten and Tom Doig. –David
If I win, do I have to sign a book contract with Scribe Publications?
No. Scribe Publications may choose to make an offer of publication, either at the time of awarding the prize or in the process of mentorship thereafter. But publication is not guaranteed, and winning authors are not bound to publish a book with Scribe Publications. –Julia
How many submissions do you usually get, or what is the projected amount based on previous years?
We don't release that info, but suffice to say that we're looking for original high-quality writing, so it's about quality not quantity! –David
If you have entered the prize in previous years, can you do so again?
Absolutely! We encourage you to submit again. Only winners are prevented from re-entering in subsequent years. (As that doesn’t seem fair now, does it?) –Julia