News

Sep 04 2012

Text Prize winner announced

The winner of the 2012 Text Prize for Young Adult and Children's Writing is A.J. Betts, for her tender and funny young adult novel Zac and Mia.
Zac and Mia is the story of two teens who meet and form a relationship on a cancer ward, but who find life outside the hospital much more complicated.
An English teacher and university lecturer from Perth, A.J. Betts has won $10,000 and a publishing contract with Text Publishing. Betts is also the author of two young adult novels, Shutter Speed (2008) and Wavelength (2010). Wavelength was shortlisted for the West Australian Premier's Prize in 2011.
On hearing the news, Betts commented, 'I'm thrilled. Writing a novel is a long, all-consuming task, often plagued with self-doubt. To come out the other side and receive such validating news is more than a writer could hope for. I'm honoured and humbled by the judges' decision, and very excited about the future of Zac and Mia.'
Michael Heyward, Publisher at Text, remarked, 'The Text Prize is now five years old. We've published some wonderful books in that time: The Billionaire's Curse by Richard Newsome, This Is Shyness by Leanne Hall, The Bridge by Jane Higgins and Fire in the Sea by Myke Bartlett. Now we have a wonderful fifth novel to publish: Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts, a deeply moving book about the relationship that grows between two kids with cancer. We can't wait to usher this marvellous book into the world.'
Zac and Miaby A. J. Betts will be published in August 2013.'The Text Prize is awarded annually to the best manuscript written by an Australian or New Zealander for young adults or children.
Entries for the 2013 prize open in March 2013.
Watch out for the 2011 Text Prize winner, Fire in the Sea by Myke Bartlett, in August 2012.