The Australian Publishers Association (APA) has named Tim Winton the recipient of the 2023 Lloyd O’Neil Award, which honours outstanding service to the Australian book industry.
On Tuesday 9 May The Australian Publishers Association announced that Tim Winton will receive the Lloyd O’Neil Award as part of the 2023 Hall of Fame Awards, presented at the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) on 25 May.
The recognition, which is one of the most prestigious lifetime awards in the Australian publishing landscape, honours outstanding individuals from within the industry for their contributions to Australian literature. Joining the ranks of previous winners including Ruth Park, Thomas Keneally, Peter Carey, David Malouf and many more, it goes without saying that Winton’s writing has shaped literary culture within Australia and beyond.
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In addition to this honour, his twenty-nine books have been translated into twenty-eight different languages, garnering recognition from some of the most impressive prizes. Winton has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize twice and has won four Miles Franklin Literary Awards. In addition to his contributions to the world of books, the author also has several stage and screen productions to his name with his most recent project, a nature documentary titled Ningaloo Nyinggulu, airing on 16 May.
‘The influence of Winton’s writing has seeped into our collective consciousness, and is reflected in conversations from the arts and education, to the environment and marine conservation, to community and political advocacy,’ the APA said announcing the award. ‘Winton is a dedicated supporter of the Australian book industry, and has campaigned around protecting Australian books, the rights of authors and buying local books from local booksellers. The ABIA Lloyd O’Neil Award is presented for a lifetime of distinguished and outstanding service to publishing and literary culture - Winton is an impressive and deserving recipient of this Award.’
Nikki Christer, Winton’s long-time publisher and Publisher at Large at Penguin Random House Australia echoes the sentiment, adding that ‘Tim Winton is the most influential writer working in Australia today – much imitated in books, television and film, but never bettered.’
On receipt of the award, Winton said, ‘It’s a lovely thing to be honoured by the writers, publishers and booksellers who keep our precious book culture alive, and I’m really touched to be given this award in my fortieth year in the caper.’
And even forty years on, he shows no sign of slowing. Tim Winton is currently touring Australia with events in Castlemaine, Kyneton, Sydney Writers Festival, Brisbane Writers Festival and Fremantle. More details can be found here.