The Australian Society of Authors and the HQ imprint of HarperCollins Australia have launched a new commercial fiction award for Australian and New Zealand authors.
Open to previously unpublished titles, the first prize is a book contract with HQ and an advance of AU$ 10,000, while second prize will be a 20 hour website consultation and online presence audit worth AU$ 3,000.
The ASA/HQ Commercial Fiction Prize will announce a shortlist in early 2020, and the winner will be declared at a ceremony in Sydney in March 2020.
According to the Australian Society of Authors website,
The ASA/HQ Commercial Fiction Prize celebrates storytelling by championing vibrant writing that entertains, enlightens and provokes lively water-cooler conversations.
