The original founder of the Whitsundays Writers Festival will be honoured at the newly revitalised event this September with an award given in her name.
Gloria Burley was the driving force behind the local writers festival for many years, until she sadly passed away in 2018.
The festival has since been on pause until a newly reinvigorated committee took the reins once again, re-launching the event later this year.
Remembered for her vivacious personality and passionate festival prowess, Gloria’s charm and charisma will live on through the award.
Gloria was known as seasoned traveller, bright, witty, funny and a fine writer.
She establishment the Whitsunday Writers Festival in 2010 and penned two books titled A Rolling Stone Gathers No Husbands – chronicling many of her travels to more than 100 different countries during her life – and Blood & Guts.
Her passion for writing will now live on with the Gloria Burley Award for Best Unpublished Manuscript.
This is part of the broader festival’s Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards, which offers substantial cash prizes to recognise and honour outstanding contributions of writers and creatives.
The Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards’ mission is to spotlight the diverse talents within the Australian creative community while also paying homage to the captivating Whitsunday’s Heart Reef.
Festival President Karen Jacobsen expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating “Beyond assembling some of Australia’s celebrated authors in Airlie Beach, our Festival aims to celebrate and champion homegrown writing and design talent”.
“The Heart Awards epitomise our commitment to nurturing creativity and honouring the legacy of festival founder Gloria Burley.” Karen said.
Award Submissions:
Prize money: First Prize $2,500, and Runner-Up $1,000
Submissions: Original and unpublished works of fiction written in English. Submit the first three chapters or the first 10,000 – 12,000 words of a completed manuscript and other details.
Deadline: Submissions close Tuesday 30 April 2024.
Submission fee: AUD$70 plus GST
Visit the Festival’s website (www.whitsundayswriters.com) for full terms and conditions, and details of the other Heart Award categories – Short Story (adult and under 18 divisions), Poetry Prize, and Best Published Book Cover Design.
Gloria Burley was the original founder of the Whitsundays Writers Festival back in 2010. Photo supplied
