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Perth Now
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Rejected 200+ times, Ghost Cities wins major book prize
Brisbane writer Siang Lu has won the Miles Franklin Literary Award for his comical novel Ghost Cities, after more than 200 publishers rejected the manuscript. And the 39-year-old author isn't joking when he says he was shocked to find out he'd won the $60,000 prize after being shortlisted for the first time. "I just sat down and actually lost all feeling in my hands and legs, and I lost my voice," he said. "It was one of the first times in my life where I actually had to ask someone with complete seriousness, to just tell me that I wasn't dreaming." Since it hit the shelves in 2024, Lu has found what he describes as a perverse joy in chatting to his readers, as they try to guess what Ghost Cities is actually saying. The answer is less complex than readers might imagine: "It is trying to be funny," he promises. The 2025 shortlist was dominated by writers of colour, including veteran Brian Castro, who has made the shortlist four times, and two-time winner Michelle de Kretser. The six authors shortlisted for the Miles Franklin also receive $5000 from the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund.
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Rejected 200+ times, Ghost Cities wins major book prize
Brisbane writer Siang Lu has won the Miles Franklin Literary Award for his comical novel Ghost Cities, after more than 200 publishers rejected the manuscript. And the 39-year-old author isn't joking when he says he was shocked to find out he'd won the $60,000 prize after being shortlisted for the first time. "I just sat down and actually lost all feeling in my hands and legs, and I lost my voice," he said. "It was one of the first times in my life where I actually had to ask someone with complete seriousness, to just tell me that I wasn't dreaming." Australia's most prestigious literary award was announced at a ceremony in Sydney on Thursday night, at which Lu revealed that he finished the manuscript for Ghost Cities a decade ago in 2015, but it was rejected more than 200 times by publishers in Australia and overseas. "I used to print my rejections and Blu Tack them on the glass pane between my office and my bedroom ... eventually, they grew so numerous that I could no longer see through the glass," he said in his acceptance speech. Having finally been published by University of Queensland Press, the winning book has been described by critics as both intellectually ambitious and zany, and it's been shortlisted for no fewer than seven book awards. The Miles Franklin is the pick of the bunch, of course, and Lu says his win changes things dramatically - not only financially, but in terms of recognition for the quality of his work. Ghost Cities was inspired by megacities built in China during the nation's real estate boom, many of which have been left uninhabited and falling into ruin. It weaves together multiple stories - including that of a young man who is fired from his job as a translator at the Chinese consulate in Sydney, when it is discovered he is monolingual and has been relying on Google Translate. There's also a chess automaton with a secret, and an ancient emperor who creates a thousand replicas of himself. Since it hit the shelves in 2024, Lu has found what he describes as a perverse joy in chatting to his readers, as they try to guess what Ghost Cities is actually saying. The answer is less complex than readers might imagine: "It is trying to be funny," he promises. The 2025 shortlist was dominated by writers of colour, including veteran Brian Castro, who has made the shortlist four times, and two-time winner Michelle de Kretser. The six authors shortlisted for the Miles Franklin also receive $5000 from the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund. Brisbane writer Siang Lu has won the Miles Franklin Literary Award for his comical novel Ghost Cities, after more than 200 publishers rejected the manuscript. And the 39-year-old author isn't joking when he says he was shocked to find out he'd won the $60,000 prize after being shortlisted for the first time. "I just sat down and actually lost all feeling in my hands and legs, and I lost my voice," he said. "It was one of the first times in my life where I actually had to ask someone with complete seriousness, to just tell me that I wasn't dreaming." Australia's most prestigious literary award was announced at a ceremony in Sydney on Thursday night, at which Lu revealed that he finished the manuscript for Ghost Cities a decade ago in 2015, but it was rejected more than 200 times by publishers in Australia and overseas. "I used to print my rejections and Blu Tack them on the glass pane between my office and my bedroom ... eventually, they grew so numerous that I could no longer see through the glass," he said in his acceptance speech. Having finally been published by University of Queensland Press, the winning book has been described by critics as both intellectually ambitious and zany, and it's been shortlisted for no fewer than seven book awards. The Miles Franklin is the pick of the bunch, of course, and Lu says his win changes things dramatically - not only financially, but in terms of recognition for the quality of his work. Ghost Cities was inspired by megacities built in China during the nation's real estate boom, many of which have been left uninhabited and falling into ruin. It weaves together multiple stories - including that of a young man who is fired from his job as a translator at the Chinese consulate in Sydney, when it is discovered he is monolingual and has been relying on Google Translate. There's also a chess automaton with a secret, and an ancient emperor who creates a thousand replicas of himself. Since it hit the shelves in 2024, Lu has found what he describes as a perverse joy in chatting to his readers, as they try to guess what Ghost Cities is actually saying. The answer is less complex than readers might imagine: "It is trying to be funny," he promises. The 2025 shortlist was dominated by writers of colour, including veteran Brian Castro, who has made the shortlist four times, and two-time winner Michelle de Kretser. The six authors shortlisted for the Miles Franklin also receive $5000 from the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund. Brisbane writer Siang Lu has won the Miles Franklin Literary Award for his comical novel Ghost Cities, after more than 200 publishers rejected the manuscript. And the 39-year-old author isn't joking when he says he was shocked to find out he'd won the $60,000 prize after being shortlisted for the first time. "I just sat down and actually lost all feeling in my hands and legs, and I lost my voice," he said. "It was one of the first times in my life where I actually had to ask someone with complete seriousness, to just tell me that I wasn't dreaming." Australia's most prestigious literary award was announced at a ceremony in Sydney on Thursday night, at which Lu revealed that he finished the manuscript for Ghost Cities a decade ago in 2015, but it was rejected more than 200 times by publishers in Australia and overseas. "I used to print my rejections and Blu Tack them on the glass pane between my office and my bedroom ... eventually, they grew so numerous that I could no longer see through the glass," he said in his acceptance speech. Having finally been published by University of Queensland Press, the winning book has been described by critics as both intellectually ambitious and zany, and it's been shortlisted for no fewer than seven book awards. The Miles Franklin is the pick of the bunch, of course, and Lu says his win changes things dramatically - not only financially, but in terms of recognition for the quality of his work. Ghost Cities was inspired by megacities built in China during the nation's real estate boom, many of which have been left uninhabited and falling into ruin. It weaves together multiple stories - including that of a young man who is fired from his job as a translator at the Chinese consulate in Sydney, when it is discovered he is monolingual and has been relying on Google Translate. There's also a chess automaton with a secret, and an ancient emperor who creates a thousand replicas of himself. Since it hit the shelves in 2024, Lu has found what he describes as a perverse joy in chatting to his readers, as they try to guess what Ghost Cities is actually saying. The answer is less complex than readers might imagine: "It is trying to be funny," he promises. The 2025 shortlist was dominated by writers of colour, including veteran Brian Castro, who has made the shortlist four times, and two-time winner Michelle de Kretser. The six authors shortlisted for the Miles Franklin also receive $5000 from the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund. Brisbane writer Siang Lu has won the Miles Franklin Literary Award for his comical novel Ghost Cities, after more than 200 publishers rejected the manuscript. And the 39-year-old author isn't joking when he says he was shocked to find out he'd won the $60,000 prize after being shortlisted for the first time. "I just sat down and actually lost all feeling in my hands and legs, and I lost my voice," he said. "It was one of the first times in my life where I actually had to ask someone with complete seriousness, to just tell me that I wasn't dreaming." Australia's most prestigious literary award was announced at a ceremony in Sydney on Thursday night, at which Lu revealed that he finished the manuscript for Ghost Cities a decade ago in 2015, but it was rejected more than 200 times by publishers in Australia and overseas. "I used to print my rejections and Blu Tack them on the glass pane between my office and my bedroom ... eventually, they grew so numerous that I could no longer see through the glass," he said in his acceptance speech. Having finally been published by University of Queensland Press, the winning book has been described by critics as both intellectually ambitious and zany, and it's been shortlisted for no fewer than seven book awards. The Miles Franklin is the pick of the bunch, of course, and Lu says his win changes things dramatically - not only financially, but in terms of recognition for the quality of his work. Ghost Cities was inspired by megacities built in China during the nation's real estate boom, many of which have been left uninhabited and falling into ruin. It weaves together multiple stories - including that of a young man who is fired from his job as a translator at the Chinese consulate in Sydney, when it is discovered he is monolingual and has been relying on Google Translate. There's also a chess automaton with a secret, and an ancient emperor who creates a thousand replicas of himself. Since it hit the shelves in 2024, Lu has found what he describes as a perverse joy in chatting to his readers, as they try to guess what Ghost Cities is actually saying. The answer is less complex than readers might imagine: "It is trying to be funny," he promises. The 2025 shortlist was dominated by writers of colour, including veteran Brian Castro, who has made the shortlist four times, and two-time winner Michelle de Kretser. The six authors shortlisted for the Miles Franklin also receive $5000 from the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund.
Perth Now
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Writers of colour dominate Miles Franklin shortlist
Five writers of colour have been shortlisted for Australia's most prestigious literary prize. Hong Kong-born Brian Castro, Sri-Lankan-born Michelle de Kretser, Tongan-Australian Winnie Dunn, Burruberongal woman Julie Janson, Malaysian-born Siang Lu and Fiona McFarlane comprise the shortlist for the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award, released on Wednesday. The winner of the $60,000 prize will be announced on July 25 by award trustee Perpetual and the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund. Janson, Lu and debut author Dunn are shortlisted for the first time, joining 2013 and 2018 winner de Kretser, and Castro and McFarlane, who have previously been shortlisted. Judges said the shortlist "celebrates writing that refuses to compromise". "Each of these works vitalises the form of the novel and invents new languages for the Australian experience," they said. Copyright Agency chief executive Josephine Johnston said the shortlist highlighted the extraordinary breadth of Australian storytelling. "From a powerful debut to new works by first-time nominees and acclaimed authors, the shortlist reflects the richness and diversity of voices shaping our literary landscape," she said. Shortlisted authors each receive $5000 from the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund. The Award was established in 1954 by the estate of My Brilliant Career author Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin to celebrate the Australian character and creativity. It supports the betterment of literature by recognising the novel of the highest literary merit each year which presents "Australian life in any of its phases". 2025 MILES FRANKLIN AWARD SHORTLIST: * Chinese Postman by Brian Castro * Theory & Practice by Michelle de Kretser * Dirt Poor Islanders by Winnie Dunn * Compassion by Julie Janson * Ghost Cities by Siang Lu * Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlane
The Age
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Winning words warm the night at The Age Book of the Year awards
In a buzzing Athenaeum Theatre on Collins Street last night it was my great privilege to present The Age's Book of the Year prize at the opening of the Melbourne Writers Festival. After seeing so many people gather to celebrate great stories and hearing the passionate yet humble winners speak so generously about their work, I left the theatre feeling warm in spite of the cool night air. Melburnians – and Age readers in particular – love a good book almost as much as they love a festival. The Age Book of the Year award has been handed out more than 40 times now, although there was a hiatus until a few years ago when it was revived. One of the country's coveted literature prizes, it includes both a fiction and non-fiction award, each worth $10,000. Thanks must go to the Copyright Agency's cultural fund for its ongoing financial support of these prizes, for which both The Age and the literary community are extremely grateful. The judges, too, deserve our gratitude for their time and dedication. Our publication, and particularly our arts and culture team, are proud of The Age's long history covering books and supporting writers across the country. Credit for this history must go to my predecessors who recognised the need to support writers and writing through festivals such as the Melbourne Writers Festival, prizes like The Age Book of the Year, and ongoing coverage of the sector. People such as Jason Steger, Kylie Northover, Melanie Kembrey, Kate Lahey and many other members of our newsroom continue to sustain our literature coverage. Loading I firmly believe publications like ours have a duty to support and enthusiastically encourage reading by people of all ages. Engaging with thought-provoking stories is an addiction we are happy to encourage as it improves individuals and enriches society. We welcome debate and discussion of complex and challenging ideas, whether they live in our pages or those of an unclosable novel. On the question of age range, I left last night's Writers Festival function with renewed hope that quality writing is not only the preserve of stereotypical chin-stroking beatniks. Of the two authors to win The Age Book of the Year prizes last night, one, Rodney Hall, is 89. The other, Lech Blaine, is in his early 30s and grew up in a pub in rural Queensland. Two very different authors united by their talent with the written word (and their home state).
The Age
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
A late-career marvel and an enriching memoir: The Age Book of the Year winners
The winners of this year's Age Book of the Year Awards have been praised for writing books that stay with readers long after their final pages. The awards were presented by The Age editor Patrick Elligett at the opening night of the Melbourne Writers Festival on Thursday night, and the winners each received $10,000, thanks to the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund. Rodney Hall's Vortex won the awards' fiction category. Queensland-based Hall, who is 89, was unable to accept the award in person, but said in a pre-recorded video that the experimental Vortex, 'was a risk from the beginning'. Hall, who has twice won the prestigious Miles Franklin Award, said his 14th novel, which is set in Brisbane in 1954 and depicts an alternative history of the 20th century, took shape in 2021 when he found 18 pages of a novel he had abandoned in 1971. 'At long last I could see what I had been aiming for when I was a young man. Fifteen of the eighteen pages went straight into the project.' The fiction judges, author and critic Bram Presser, and The Age and Sydney Morning Herald 's Canberra Bureau Chief Michelle Griffin, described Vortex as a late-career marvel 'that sticks with you ... often surprisingly funny and sad all at once.' 'At a time when many will feel caught up in the vortex of global events, this novel feels both particular to its time and place and yet universal.' The novel has been widely acclaimed as Hall's best, but the author says he 'doesn't distract himself' with comparisons of his novels. 'I just try to keep each book fresh for the reader.'
