Calling all wordsmiths! This year marks the 30th anniversary of The Australian/Vogel Literary Award and some exciting changes are afoot, so if you're under 35 and have a way with words, listen up.

As a result of these changes, the deadline for entries has been extended to close of business June 30 2010.

About the Award

The Australian/Vogel Literary Award is one of Australia's richest and most prestigious awards for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of thirty-five. Offering publication by Allen & Unwin and prize money totalling $20,000, the Vogel Award has launched the careers of some of its most successful writers, including Tim Winton, Kate Grenville, Gillian Mears, Brian Castro, Mandy Sayer and Andrew McGahan.

Vogel-winning authors have gone on to win or be shortlisted for other major awards, such as the
Miles Franklin Award, the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the Booker Prize.

This year, after the judges make their final decision, the winner will be contacted by Allen & Unwin and editing will begin on the winning manuscript. However, the winner's name will not be made public until May 2011, simultaneous with publication of the winning book. No longer will the reading public have to wait to read the winning book!

However, there will still be a shortlist and it will be announced in The Australian a few weeks prior to the announcement of the winner and publication of their book.

Entry forms for The Australian/Vogel Literary Award 2010 are now available at www.allenandunwin.com and the deadline for entries is extended to cob June 30 2010.