Created in 1993 in honour of the distinguished South Australian writer and visual artist, the late Barbara Hanrahan. Open to South Australian writers working in the areas of fiction, poetry, drama, scriptwriting, autobiography, essays, major histories, literary criticism or other expository or analytical prose.
Prize: $15,000
5 nominations – Judges: Ruth Starke, Anne Bartlett, Mike Ladd
Winner
Patrick Allington: Potatoes In all Their Glory and How To Win At Democracy
The judges agreed that Patrick is an emerging writer with plenty of runs on the board. His previous writing shows a strong commitment to, and understanding of, his craft and the judges are confident that Patrick’s next novels will be executed with the same commitment and professionalism. Potatoes In all Their Glory tells the story of Henry a 30-something bibliophile, food lover and bad cook, who becomes embroiled in the obsessive habits of hardcore collectors and literary fraud. The work is sophisticated in theme and execution and highlights Patrick’s talent for writing sparkling prose. The judges were impressed with Patrick’s wry sense of humour and his satirical and affectionate portrait of contemporary Adelaide. Although Potatoes In all Their Glory and How To Win At Democracy are a departure in style from his previous works, the judges are confident that they will be compelling contemporary reading.
