In celebration of the remarkable contribution Libby has made over the past seventeen years to WestWords and the development of the literature of Western Sydney, WestWords were proud to host …

The Libby Gleeson Prize for Children’s Literature
 

The Prize is held biennially, calling for unpublished manuscripts for children or young adult readers, resulting in an offer of publication with WestWords Books. It will also offer an advance against royalties. 

The Prize highlights the diversity of contemporary Australia. Nowhere is that diversity more evident than in Western Sydney. The intent is to give the children and young people of the region the opportunity to see themselves, their stories and experiences reflected back at them. 

In 2025, WestWords hosted the inaugural Libby Gleeson Prize. The prize attracted a strong field of diverse submissions. Both the winner and runner-up elected for publication with other publishing houses.

But through the judging process, we were delighted to discover a paranormal mystery, coming of age story by Garth Thomas, a Western Sydney writer, about Alison Tuesday – a burgeoning psychic, history buff who unlocks doors with bricks – and Patrick Peters, who is taking a gap year after finishing his HSC and the death of his father.

She Walks With Ghosts is ‘for the outcasts, the dreamers, and for those who have always suspected there was more to life beyond the ordinary.’ WestWords Books are delighted to publish this novel on October 1, 2026. Click here for more information on the novel. 

The Libby Gleeson Prize will be open for submissions in August 2027.

 

The Prize welcomes submissions from emerging writers of middle reader, older reader and young adult fiction who have an unpublished manuscript with a connection to Western Sydney. The writer might live in Western Sydney, or have a clear personal connection to the area, or their manuscript might be set in the region, highlighting its character and diversity. 

Libby, your contribution is an extraordinary life achievement, appreciated by tens and thousands of people. We congratulate you, and thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

‘I am delighted and honoured to have my name associated with a prize like this. A prize which values literature for young readers and to encourage writers who wish to write for this age group.’

– Libby Gleeson AM

Libby Gleeson AM has published over 40 popular, highly acclaimed books for children and young adults, been shortlisted for 13 CBCA Awards, and won three, and is widely published internationally. Libby received the prestigious Lady Cutler Award for Services to Children’s Literature in 1997.

She is formerly Chair of WestWords, the Australian Society of Authors, Chair of the Literature and History Committee of ArtsNSW, a Director of the Copyright Agency and Director of the Public Education Foundation.

Libby has been a teacher and lecturer and contributes regularly to national conferences and in 2007 was awarded membership to the Order of Australia. She won the 2011 Dromkeen Medal, awarded for contributions to children’s literature.

 

Dates …

 

  • The Libby Gleeson Prize opened August 21, 2025
  • The Libby Gleeson Prize closed October 13, 2025

Connection to Western Sydney …

For the purposes of this Prize, we define a connection to Western Sydney as one of these three: 

  • have been born and raised in Greater Western Sydney
  • have lived in Greater Western Sydney for more than 2 years
  • have worked in the region for a substantial length of time and within the past 5 years

What and How to Submit …

Applications for the Libby Gleeson Prize was accepted via email: competitions@westwords.com.au 

Please attach 2 documents to your email entry.  

  • The full manuscript
  • The file must be submitted in 12pt font, Times New Roman, double spaces, with default margins as a word.doc or .pdf file 

  • The cover letter
  • to include: a short synopsis of their submission (no more than 500 words), a short bio (no more than 300 words) and their connection to Western Sydney (no more than 300 words). 

The manuscript …

  • must be completed, and not previously published (including self-published)
  • can be any genre of fiction
  • must be intended for either a middle reader, older reader, or young adult audience
  • must be between 20k and 80k words
  • must not be entered into any other prizes, or under consideration at any other publisher

FAQ & Terms and Conditions

Click here to read the full terms and conditions of entry.

I am a published author, can I still enter?

Yes, the Prize welcomes submissions from authors who have previously published both traditionally and self-published. It is the manuscript that must be completed and previously unpublished. 

What is the definition of ‘middle reader’, ‘older reader’ and ‘young adult’? 

Middle reader, or ‘middle grade’, is defined as works of fiction typically intended for readers between the age of 8 to 12, or with equivalent reading levels. Middle reader novels are typically between 20k-50k words in length. Writers are asked to consider the interests of this age group, if submitting for this readership. 

Older reader is defined as works of fiction typically intended for readers between the age of 12 to 15,  or with equivalent reading levels. Older reader novels are typically between 50k-70k words in length. Writers are asked to consider the interests of this age group, if submitting for this readership. 

Young adult is defined as works of fiction typically intended for readers between the age of 16 and 24, or with equivalent reading levels. Young adult novels are typically between 60k-80k words in length. Writers are asked to consider the interests of this age group, if submitting for this readership. 

My manuscript is over 80k, can I still enter? 

Manuscripts must fit within the targeted word count for their intended audience (with minor allowance on either side). Manuscripts over 80.8k words will not be read. 

I have a poetry collection, or a short story collection, may I enter?

No, this is a call for novel-length works of fiction prose. 

Which LGAs are considered “Western Sydney”?

Western Sydney is defined as these LGAs:

  • Blacktown City
  • Blue Mountains City
  • Camden Council
  • Campbelltown City
  • Cumberland Council
  • Fairfield City
  • The City of Canterbury-Bankstown
  • Hawkesbury City
  • Liverpool City
  • The City of Parramatta
  • Penrith City
  • The Hills Shire
  • Wollondilly Shire

I am not sure about my connection to Western Sydney, should I still enter? 

If you are unsure if you meet the requirements of entry, or have any questions at all, please email admin@westwords.com.au 

 

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