Australian Book Review is an Australian arts and literary review. Created in 1961, ABR is an independent non-profit organisation that publishes articles, reviews, commentaries, essays, and new writing. The aims of the magazine are "to foster high critical standards, to provide an outlet for fine new writing, and to contribute to the preservation of literary values and a full appreciation of Australia's literary heritage".

History and profile

Australian Book Review was established by Max Harris and Rosemary Wighton as a monthly journal in Adelaide, Australia, in 1961. In 1971 production was reduced to quarterly releases, and lapsed completely in 1974. In 1978 the journal was revived by the National Book Council and, moving to Melbourne, began producing ten issues per year. ABR published the 400th issue of the second series in April 2018. An eleventh issue was added in 2021 (the magazine publishes a double issue in January–February). ABR is currently in partnership with Monash University and had a previous partnership with Flinders University. The magazine is supported by various organisations including the Creative Australia, Arts SA, City of Melbourne Creative Spaces, and Copyright Agency Limited. ABR publishes reviews, essays, commentaries, interviews and new creative writing. The magazine is national in readership, authorship, distribution, events and partners. It is available in print and online. ABR’s diverse programs include three prestigious international prizes, writers’ fellowships worth as much as $10,000, themed issues, national events, cultural tours, and paid editorial internships/cadetships. Peter Rose is the Editor; and Sarah Holland-Batt is Chairperson of the Board.

Editors

Calibre Essay Prize

The Calibre Essay Prize is given annually since 2007. The prize, first awarded in 2007, is currently worth a total of A$10,000. The prize is open to authors around the world writing in English. ABR accepts entries from published authors commentators, and emerging writers. All non-fiction subjects are eligible.

Winners

Peter Porter Poetry Prize

Australian Book Review established its annual Poetry Prize in 2005, and in 2011 renamed it the Peter Porter Poetry Prize in memory of the Australian poet Peter Porter (1929–2010). The Prize is one of Australia's most lucrative awards for poetry. Winning and short-listed entries are published in ABR. Judith Bishop and Anthony Lawrence are the only poets to win the prize twice. The prize is open to poets around the world writing in English. Entrants can submit a single poem of no more than 75 lines. Multiple entries are permitted, and all poems are judged anonymously.

Winners

ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize

Australian Book Review revived its annual short story competition in 2010, and in 2011 renamed it the ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize in memory of the late Australian writer, Elizabeth Jolley (1923–2007). The total prize money is now $12,500. The prize is open to authors around the world writing in English.

Winners

ABR Arts

In 2012, Australian Book Review launched an extension of its coverage of Australian culture, Arts Update, now known as ABR Arts. It presents reviews of film and television, plays, operas, concerts, dance, and art exhibitions.

Podcasts

In 2015, Australian Book Review launched two podcasts: Poem of the Week and The ABR Podcast. The ABR Podcast was subsequently revived in 2020. Poem of the Week was discontinued in September 2016.

Fellowships

ABR ' s Fellowship program began in 2011. Funded by ABR's Patrons and by philanthropic foundations, the Fellowship program is intended to reward Australian writers. Most ABR Fellowships are now worth $10,000. The Fellowship program was originally intended for the creation of a single piece of long-form journalism but since 2018 (starting with Beejay Silcox's ABR Fortieth Birthday Fellowship) Fellows have written and published several long articles over the course of twelve months.

Fellowships

Rising Stars

The Rising Stars program was established in 2019. The program is intended to encourage younger writers, enhancing their critical practice and advancing their careers.

Rising Stars

gta banana Star Wars

ABR Laureates

The ABR Laureateship was inaugurated in 2014, with the naming of David Malouf as laureate. The laureateship was not only created to commemorate Australia's finest writers, but also to 'advance the work of a younger writer admired by the Laureate.' Each ABR Laureate nominates an ABR Laureate Fellow for mentorship with the Editor of the ABR, in preparation for the publication of a substantial work within the magazine.

ABR Laureates