Commonwealth Writers' Prize

The Commonwealth Writers’ Prize is a prestigious annual event which rewards and celebrates excellence in contemporary fiction writing throughout the Commonwealth. Each year prizes are given for Best Book and Best First Book in four Commonwealth regions: Africa, the Caribbean and Canada, Eurasia, and South East Asia and the South Pacific. From these regions overall winners for Best Book and Best First Book are chosen.

Commonwealth Writers' Prize 2006

The State Library of Victoria is hosting the 2006 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize from 9 to 14 March. Winning writers from across the Commonwealth will be in Melbourne to take part in a week-long program of events. Joined by past winners Alex Miller, Sonya Hartnett, Adib Khan and Larissa Behrendt, the writers will participate in public readings, book signings and regional tours.

2006 Winners

The winners of the 'Best Book' and 'Best First Book' awards for 2006 were announced at a ceremony at the State Library on Tuesday 14 March. Kate Grenville of Australia was awarded Overall Best Book for The Secret River. Mark McWatt of Guyana won Overall Best First Book for Suspended Sentences: Fictions of Atonement.

Read more about the Commonwealth Writers' Prize 2006 winners >

View the Commonwealth Writers' Prize 2006 program >

The Commonwealth Writers' Prize 2006 Program is supported by a range of sponsors.

For more information see the official Commonwealth Writers' Prize website.