Literary Journal

Hazel Rowley Prize

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Journals & literary magazines1 open opportunity listed

About the magazine

The Hazel Rowley Prize, administered by the Biographers International Organization (BIO), honors the late biographer Hazel Rowley, known for her elegant and psychologically acute lives of figures such as Christina Stead, Richard Wright, and Simone de Beauvoir. Established in 2013, the prize is awarded annually to the best proposal for a first biography by a writer who has not yet published a book-length biography. It reflects Rowley's commitment to literary craft, rigorous research, and the belief that biography is an art form as much as a scholarly endeavor. The prize aims to support emerging biographers at a crucial stage, providing both financial assistance and professional recognition to help bring important life stories to fruition.

Submitting your work

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Applicants should submit a well-crafted book proposal that demonstrates thorough research, a compelling narrative arc, and a clear sense of why the subject's life matters. The proposal should include an overview, chapter summaries, a sample chapter, and a CV. It is advisable to show familiarity with Hazel Rowley's own biographical style—nuanced, literary, and deeply researched. Since the prize is for a first biography, applicants should emphasize their unique qualifications and access to sources. Deadlines and submission guidelines are typically announced on the BIO website; careful attention to these instructions is essential. The prize is open to writers worldwide, and there is a submission fee.

Submission calls

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OpenDeadline · 2027-03-01