Entry is open to all essayists writing in English. We are seeking essays of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject. We welcome essays of all kinds: personal or political, literary or speculative, traditional or experimental.

First Prize: $5,000 Second Prize: $2,500

Entries close 14 January 2019

This year the Calibre Essay Prize will be judged by J.M. Coetzee, Anna Funder and ABREditor Peter Rose.

Entries must be an original single-authored non-fiction essay of  between 2,000 and 5,000 words written in English. Essays must not have been previously published or on offer to other prizes or publications for the duration of the Calibre Prize. The overall winning essay will be published in the magazine in April 2019 with the runner-up to be published in the May 2019 or June-July 2019 issue.

Click here for more information about past winners and to read their essays.

Before entering the Calibre Essay Prize, all entrants must read the Terms and Conditions. Please read our Frequently Asked Questions before contacting us with queries about the Calibre Prize.

Click here to enter the Calibre Essay Prize

Entry fees

Online entry (current ABR subscriber) - $15 Online entry (full-time student) - $15 Online entry (standard/non subscriber) - $25*

*Non-subscribers will receive access to ABR Online free of charge for four months. Eligible entrants will be contacted when this complimentary subscription has been activated.

Special online entry + subscription bundles

Subsequent entries may be submitted at the subscriber rate

Online entry + ABR Online subscription - $65 Online entry + Print subscription (Australia) - $95 Online entry + Print subscription (NZ and Asia) - $150 Online entry + Print subscription (Rest of World) - $170

We gratefully acknowledge the long-standing support of Mr Colin Golvan QC and the ABRPatrons.