Category: Five Islands Poetry Prize

Five Islands Poetry Prize – 2025 winner announced

Madeleine Dale’s Portraits of Drowning published by University of Queensland Press is the
winner of the 2025 Five Islands Prize for a first book of poetry.

Madeleine will receive $3000 and University of Queensland Press will receive $1200.

From the judges: ‘a thrilling, moving and thought-provoking collection of poems, meticulously researched but always empathic and intimate. She has a remarkable dexterity with form and theme… Literary allusions and deep research sit alongside an adventurous, rangy, slightly wild approach to form, structure and poetic composition. We congratulate Madeleine on this assured and singular book, we know it will find a wide readership.’

The shortlisted books:

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Bathypelagia by Debbie Lim (Cordite Publishing Inc.)

COMMENDED
The Infant Vine by Isabella G Mead (UWA Publishing)
Past & Parallel Lives by Kaya Ortiz (UWA Publishing)

Note that submissions are now open until 15 July for the 2025–26 Prize. Entry is free.

For all details on how to submit, go to https://www.canberra.edu.au/five-islands-prize/

2025 Five Islands Poetry Prize | Shortlist

Five Islands Press has announced the Judges’ shortlist for the 2024–25 Prize.

Bathypelagia —Debbie Lim, Cordite Publishing Inc.
Portraits of Drowning — Madeleine Dale, University of Queensland Press
The Infant Vine Isabella — G. Mead, UWA Publishing
Past & Parallel Lives — Kaya Ortiz, UWA Publishing

The winning and order of commended books will be announced at a Zoom event on
Wednesday 3 December, from 5.00–6.00 pm (AEST Melbourne time). Join at:
https://unimelb.zoom.us/j/2338614152?pwd=aVhRZElvYjh1T2ZId2h1QW9ZbThSU
T09&omn=83583511486 Password: 106945

Everyone is welcome to attend to hear the judges’ report and readings from the finalists.

Please note submissions are open until 15 July next year for the 2025–26 Prize. Entry is
free. For details on how to submit, go to https://www.canberra.edu.au/five-islands-prize/

 

Five Islands Poetry Prize ~ for a First Book of Poetry

Terms & Conditions

  • This is an annual prize for a first already-published book-length collection of poetry by an Australian poet or a poet living and writing in Australia.
  • The author of the prize-winning book will receive $2750 and the publisher will receive $1100.
  • A book can be entered by the author or publisher.
  • The book must contain at least thirty pages of poetry, have an ISBN, and be available through retail sales outlets.
  • Self-published books are eligible as long as they meet the above criteria.
  • For the 2024-2025 Prize, books published between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025 are eligible.
  • Note: the prize aims to support professional publishers, in particular small-press, independent publishers.
  • Submissions are open until 15 July 2025.
  • There will be three judges, whose decision will be final.
  • The Prize will be announced in late November, and presented shortly afterwards.
  • Four copies of the submitted book are to be posted to PO Box 68 Brunswick Victoria 3056.
  • Books submitted will not be returned.
  • An email must be sent to Kevin Brophy at: kevinjb@unimelb.edu.au attesting that this is the poet’s first published book of poetry, and providing the book’s publishing date, and contact details for the poet and the publisher.

Step 1

Post four copies of the submitted poetry book to the address below. Please note, posted books should be received on or before 15 July 2025.

Five Islands Poetry Prize
PO Box 68
Brunswick Victoria 3056

Step 2

Email Kevin Brophy, attesting that this is the poet’s first published book of poetry, and provide contact details for the poet and the publisher. Please subject your email as “Five Islands Prize Entry”.

 

Five Islands Press Poetry Prize 2025