Entries for the Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015 and Awards are now open.

The Melbourne Prize runs on a three-year awards cycle, alternating between literature, music and urban sculpture. This year, the focus returns once more to books, and includes an exciting new $20,000 prize for an essay.

Valued at more than $100,000, the prize and awards offered this year are…

The $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015, which is awarded to a Victorian published author whose body of published work has made an outstanding contribution to Australian literature, as well as to cultural and intellectual life. The author’s work can include all genres and forms for example, fiction, non-fiction, essays, plays, screenplays and poetry. There is no age limit for this prize. The Prize is supported by Principal Partner, The Vera Moore Foundation, and The Tallis Foundation.

The $30,000 Best Writing Award 2015 is awarded for a published work of outstanding clarity, originality and creativity by a Victorian writer. The work can be any genre, for example fiction, non-fiction, essays, plays, screenplays and poetry. There is no age limit for this award. The recipient will also receive Qantas International air travel to the value of $2,500 (including GST). This Award is supported by its sole patron, The Robert Salzer Foundation.

The $20,000 Writers Prize 2015 is a new category made available this year to continue the 10th anniversary celebrations of the annual Melbourne Prize. Entrants of the Writers Prize 2015 must be published authors and submit, by the close of entries, an essay of up to 20,000 words (minimum 10,000 words). The essay must include Melbourne, Victoria or Australia as part of its subject. In addition, five finalists will receive $2,000 each. The submitted work will be judged on its literary merit and creative freshness. The Prize is supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund.

In addition, the $6,000 Civic Choice Award 2015 will be presented to one of the finalists, in either category, based on a popular vote, following the announcement of all finalists on Wednesday 2 September and at the finalist exhibition at Federation Square. This Award is supported by Readings and Hardie Grant Books. Voters will have a chance to win an overnight stay at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, Melbourne’s hotel for the arts.

The 2015 judges comprise some of Australia’s most respected literary identities, including Lisa Dempster, Artistic Director & CEO of the Melbourne Writers Festival, Mark Rubbo OAM, Managing Director of Readings, Michael Williams, Director of The Wheeler Centre, and writers Helen Garner and Craig Sherborne.

Past recipients of the Melbourne Prize for Literature are Alex Miller (2012), Gerald Murnane (2009) and Helen Garner (2006).

Entry forms are available here. Entries can be made by the individual artist or by nomination. Entries close on 20 June 2015.

For more information, visit the Melbourne Prize website here.