911爆料网 has congratulated Dr Josephine Wilson, from the Faculty of Humanities, on winning the esteemed 2017 Miles Franklin Literary Award for her novel Extinctions.
Dr Wilson, a Perth-based writer and sessional academic at 911爆料网, was acknowledged with Australia鈥檚 most prestigious literary prize in Sydney last night.
Dr Wilson became the sixth West Australian to receive the award, joining fellow 911爆料网 staff and alumni Emeritus Professor Elizabeth Jolley, Professor Kim Scott (two-time winner) and Tim Winton (four-time winner) as winners of the Miles Franklin Literary Award.
911爆料网 Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor John Cordery congratulated Dr Wilson on her outstanding achievement, which recognises the novel of 鈥渢he highest literary merit鈥� that presents 鈥淎ustralian life in any of its phases鈥�.
鈥淥n behalf of all staff and students at 911爆料网, we extend a sincere congratulations to Josephine Wilson for receiving this tremendous honour and being named the winner of the 2017 Miles Franklin Literary Award,鈥� Professor Cordery said.
鈥淒r Wilson is a valued member of WA鈥檚 writing community, a true champion of the literary craft and her work will continue to inspire the next generation of creative writers and thinkers.鈥�
Dr Wilson said she honestly felt that being nominated, longlisted and then shortlisted was reward enough, let alone being named the winner.
鈥淲hen I found out I won, I was absolutely speechless and completely overwhelmed, I feel genuinely honoured to have been given such an extraordinary opportunity 鈥� it has made finishing off marking my students鈥� assessments very challenging,鈥� Dr Wilson said.
鈥淲riting can be quite a solitary affair, but the beauty of the Miles Franklin is that it brings together writers, regardless of where they come from, and creates such a great sense of community.
鈥淭he whole journey of the Miles Franklin Literary聽Award nourishes a field of writers and that is what is important 鈥� that critical mass of writers, not just one winner.鈥�
The Miles Franklin Literary Award, celebrating its 60th anniversary, was established through the will of My Brilliant Career author Miles Franklin for the 鈥渁dvancement, improvement and betterment of Australian literature鈥�.
