Entries and Eligibility

2022 Stella Prize – Eligibility Guidelines 

1. The Stella Prize is open to books by women – cis, trans, and non-binary inclusive – who are either Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia at the time of entry.
   
2. Books eligible for entry must have first been published commercially in English anywhere in the world between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021.
   
3. Books eligible for entry must be available to purchase in Australia.
   
4. Books eligible for entry include:
   • novels of all genres
   • memoirs
   • biographies
   • histories
   • collections of short stories by a single author
   • single-author poetry collections of at least 40 pages
   • verse novels 
   • novellas of at least 20,000 words
   • Illustrated books, including graphic novels, provided they are accompanied by a substantial quantity of text. 

5. Books can be co-authored, but edited collections are not eligible for entry. Books cannot be entered in the name of an editor or a committee. In the case of a book with multiple authors, all authors must meet eligibility criteria number 1.
   
6. Entries must be in English. Bilingual editions are eligible, as are books first published in another language and then translated into English, and first published in English during the eligibility period.
   
   
7. Books that are not eligible for entry include:
   • academic textbooks
   • guidebooks
   • self-help books
   • play or film scripts
   • books written primarily for children under 12
   • books consisting of illustrations or photographs with an insubstantial quantity of text
   • adaptations, unless they represent a significant and creative transformation of the original text.
     

7. Books that are not eligible for entry also include:
   • self-published books
   • books published only in ebook form
   • books written by current Board members or employees of The Stella Prize Inc.
     

8. Entries will be accepted only as valid ePub files via the online form. 
   
   It is the publisher’s responsibility to ensure the file is properly formatted and rendered correctly across platforms. We kindly request that you do not use a proprietary DRM solution or watermark across text as it may adversely affect the reading experience. Upon entry, the ePub file will be moved to a restricted folder accessible only to the Judging Panel and Stella staff via secure Kobo eReaders. The ebook file will not be shared with any party outside of the Judging Panel or Stella. The Judges’ Kobo eReaders will be returned to Stella following their duties. If you do not have access to a valid ePub file, please contact us via info@stella.org.au.

9. Stella does not currently operate from an office, and as such cannot accept hardcopy books at the entries stage. It is the publisher’s responsibility to ensure hardcopies are not dispatched, and Stella is not responsible for the return of books shipped to any premises. However, if books are longlisted or shortlisted, print copies will be required and publishers notified of the necessary shipping arrangements.

11. Books may be entered by publishers, writers or agents. If the book is being entered by a publisher or agent, the author’s consent to enter the work must be obtained. The author’s personal contact details must be included on the entry form.

12. It is the responsibility of the publisher and author to familiarise themselves with Stella’s Funding Sources, Sponsorship, and Partnerships. In entering their book, all longlisted, shortlisted, and prize-winning authors commit to accept the source of the funds awarded to them.

13. The shortlisted and winning authors will be asked to participate in a number of public and media events at the time of, and in the months following the prize announcements. Entry into the prize confirms the author’s willingness to make themselves available, where possible, to a number of media commitments. All shortlisted authors are encouraged to attend the award ceremony, and publishers will be expected to contribute towards reasonable travel, media, and promotional expenses.

14. Publishers of books shortlisted for the 2022 Stella Prize will be expected to contribute between $500 and $2,000 per title towards the costs of marketing the 2022 Stella Prize shortlist. This sliding scale is dependent on the size of the publisher. Please contact us at info@stella.org.au if this contribution is likely to prohibit you from entering the prize.
    
15. This year we will be accepting late entries along with advanced review copies (electronic only) of books published between 22 October 2021 and 31 December 2021. Electronic files must be received before Thursday 18 November 2021. Please contact us no later than Thursday 4 November via info@stella.org.au if you intend to enter a book that falls under one of these categories.
    
16. Stella welcomes all entries submitted in good faith and reserves the right to refuse entries submitted with malice or with the intent to mislead or deceive others, or which otherwise may harm the reputation of The Stella Prize Inc. All decisions of Stella and the Judging Panel are final. Stella and the Judging Panel will not enter into any discussions or correspondence regarding its decisions.