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frequently asked questions.
WHAT DOES DANZ STAND FOR?
Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
WHAT DOES ASLA STAND FOR?
Australian School Library Association.
IS THE AWARD YEARLY?
Yes! The award categories alternate every year.
WHO CAN ENTER THE AWARD?
Traditionally and self-published authors and illustrators who are Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
IF THE ILLUSTRATOR OF THE BOOK IS NOT FROM AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND BUT THE AUTHOR IS, WOULD THE BOOK STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR NOMINATION?
YES! However, should the book win, due to the stipulations of the body funding the 2025 award, the illustrator would not be eligible to receive any prize money. Of course, they would still benefit from the promotion and publicity the book receives!
WHAT TYPES OF BOOKS ARE YOU ACCEPTING?
For the 2025 award, we are accepting young adult novels, children's non-fiction, graphic novels, poetry and other (other meaning a category not already mentioned but not picture book, chapter book, or middle grade). All books entered must have an ISBN. Books that are part of a series are invited but must work as a standalone.
WHAT ABOUT PICTURE BOOKS, CHAPTER BOOKS AND MIDDLE GRADE?
The 2024 award celebrated these categories, and hopefully the 2026 award will do the same. But, for 2025 we are focusing on young adult, non-fiction, graphic novels, poetry and any other category not already mentioned.
WHEN DOES THE BOOK HAVE TO BE PUBLISHED?
For the 2025 award, we are accepting books published in 2022, 2023 and 2024 only.
DOES THE AUTHOR HAVE TO SHARE THE DIVERSE IDENTITY PORTRAYED WITHIN THE BOOK?
We are certainly not here to police what people can and can't write; however, DANZ exists to celebrate original, non-stereotypical, authentic, balanced, sensitive, and inoffensive representations of diverse, marginalised, and minority people and communities which are not contrived or didactic in any way, shape, or form, and we hold the position that no one can write this better than the very people who have lived and share the experience and identity of their main characters.
HOW DOES AN AUTHOR KNOW IF THEIR BOOK FITS THE CRITERIA?
Well, that's for the author to decide and explain in the application form. Definition and criteria are outlined on our homepage, so before nominating a book, we ask that these are carefully read and considered. The DANZ panel will be checking all nominations to ensure they fit the criteria before requesting review copies for the judges.
IS THERE AN ENTRY FEE?
No! There are already far too many barriers in place for minority and marginalised people; however, for the 2025 award we are asking if nominating publishers and/or authors/illustrators are able to provide a small fee if their book is longlisted to help us with marketing and promotional costs.
WHO CAN NOMINATE A BOOK AND HOW?
Authors, illustrators, and publishers can nominate their books via a simple application form found on the Book Nomination page of this website. Nominations close on the 26th of August 2024.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE NOMINATION WINDOW CLOSES?
Each and every nomination will be carefully assessed to ensure it fits the DANZ Award criteria by a Book Nomination Panel made up of a group of people from diverse backgrounds or with experience working in children's publishing. If successful, in September 2024 the DANZ Committee will then invite the nominating person to send in five copies of the book which will be sent to members of the Judging Panel.
IS THERE A PRIZE FOR THE WINNERS?
Yes! One winner in each category will win a monetary prize (amount to be confirmed) and all longlisted authors will receive a certificate of recognition. All winning books will be featured and showcased in a widely distributed brochure.
WHAT'S THE POINT OF THE DANZ BOOK AWARD?
DANZ is so much more than an award! Our initiative is a way of supporting time-strapped educators, parents, carers, and booksellers across the two countries, and beyond, to recommend, stock, and offer books to children, which have more than a convenient label of diversity. We aim to share books which have the best, fairest, and most accurate representation of marginalised and minority people and communities across Australia and New Zealand and ones that children have loved and voted for.
HOW WILL DANZ PROMOTE THE LONGLISTED TITLES?
We have many plans in development! On top of the build-up, hype, and celebration of our award, DANZ will be producing a quality, colourful brochure, both digital and print, showcasing every longlisted book chosen by our panel of judges. This brochure will be distributed to schools and school libraries in Australia and New Zealand through the extensive channels of ASLA and SLANZA, and we hope many other organisations who want to get involved.
WHO CAN BE A SPONSOR?
Anyone who wants to support something truly ground-breaking here in Australia and New Zealand! The award is non-profit so all sponsorship money will go towards making the 2025 award (and future awards) as successful and far-reaching as possible. The more money and support we have, the more prize money we can offer winners, the further our brochure can reach, and the more celebrations we can arrange.
HOW CAN POSSIBLE SPONSORS GET INVOLVED?
By emailing us today to register their interest, arrange a chat about how we can support one another, and to receive our sponsorship packages.
WHO CAN BE A JUDGE?
Children from all backgrounds and ages who live in Australia and New Zealand, including and very much welcoming those from diverse, marginalised, and minority backgrounds, are invited to judge and curate our longlist. All judges will receive a gift package as a thank you.
HOW DO JUDGES APPLY?
Via a simple application form to be completed with an adult's permission.
WHO RUNS THE DANZ AWARD?
The DANZ committee is made up of the following brilliant and passionate people: Founder Kate Foster, Kristin Darell, Martha Itzcovitz, Shirley Marr, Linsay Knight, and Dee White. We also have a Book Nomination Panel made up of a group of diverse people who work with children and in children's publishing.
HOW DO WE ASK QUESTIONS THAT ARE NOT ANSWERED HERE?
Email us at [email protected]
Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
WHAT DOES ASLA STAND FOR?
Australian School Library Association.
IS THE AWARD YEARLY?
Yes! The award categories alternate every year.
WHO CAN ENTER THE AWARD?
Traditionally and self-published authors and illustrators who are Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
IF THE ILLUSTRATOR OF THE BOOK IS NOT FROM AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND BUT THE AUTHOR IS, WOULD THE BOOK STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR NOMINATION?
YES! However, should the book win, due to the stipulations of the body funding the 2025 award, the illustrator would not be eligible to receive any prize money. Of course, they would still benefit from the promotion and publicity the book receives!
WHAT TYPES OF BOOKS ARE YOU ACCEPTING?
For the 2025 award, we are accepting young adult novels, children's non-fiction, graphic novels, poetry and other (other meaning a category not already mentioned but not picture book, chapter book, or middle grade). All books entered must have an ISBN. Books that are part of a series are invited but must work as a standalone.
WHAT ABOUT PICTURE BOOKS, CHAPTER BOOKS AND MIDDLE GRADE?
The 2024 award celebrated these categories, and hopefully the 2026 award will do the same. But, for 2025 we are focusing on young adult, non-fiction, graphic novels, poetry and any other category not already mentioned.
WHEN DOES THE BOOK HAVE TO BE PUBLISHED?
For the 2025 award, we are accepting books published in 2022, 2023 and 2024 only.
DOES THE AUTHOR HAVE TO SHARE THE DIVERSE IDENTITY PORTRAYED WITHIN THE BOOK?
We are certainly not here to police what people can and can't write; however, DANZ exists to celebrate original, non-stereotypical, authentic, balanced, sensitive, and inoffensive representations of diverse, marginalised, and minority people and communities which are not contrived or didactic in any way, shape, or form, and we hold the position that no one can write this better than the very people who have lived and share the experience and identity of their main characters.
HOW DOES AN AUTHOR KNOW IF THEIR BOOK FITS THE CRITERIA?
Well, that's for the author to decide and explain in the application form. Definition and criteria are outlined on our homepage, so before nominating a book, we ask that these are carefully read and considered. The DANZ panel will be checking all nominations to ensure they fit the criteria before requesting review copies for the judges.
IS THERE AN ENTRY FEE?
No! There are already far too many barriers in place for minority and marginalised people; however, for the 2025 award we are asking if nominating publishers and/or authors/illustrators are able to provide a small fee if their book is longlisted to help us with marketing and promotional costs.
WHO CAN NOMINATE A BOOK AND HOW?
Authors, illustrators, and publishers can nominate their books via a simple application form found on the Book Nomination page of this website. Nominations close on the 26th of August 2024.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE NOMINATION WINDOW CLOSES?
Each and every nomination will be carefully assessed to ensure it fits the DANZ Award criteria by a Book Nomination Panel made up of a group of people from diverse backgrounds or with experience working in children's publishing. If successful, in September 2024 the DANZ Committee will then invite the nominating person to send in five copies of the book which will be sent to members of the Judging Panel.
IS THERE A PRIZE FOR THE WINNERS?
Yes! One winner in each category will win a monetary prize (amount to be confirmed) and all longlisted authors will receive a certificate of recognition. All winning books will be featured and showcased in a widely distributed brochure.
WHAT'S THE POINT OF THE DANZ BOOK AWARD?
DANZ is so much more than an award! Our initiative is a way of supporting time-strapped educators, parents, carers, and booksellers across the two countries, and beyond, to recommend, stock, and offer books to children, which have more than a convenient label of diversity. We aim to share books which have the best, fairest, and most accurate representation of marginalised and minority people and communities across Australia and New Zealand and ones that children have loved and voted for.
HOW WILL DANZ PROMOTE THE LONGLISTED TITLES?
We have many plans in development! On top of the build-up, hype, and celebration of our award, DANZ will be producing a quality, colourful brochure, both digital and print, showcasing every longlisted book chosen by our panel of judges. This brochure will be distributed to schools and school libraries in Australia and New Zealand through the extensive channels of ASLA and SLANZA, and we hope many other organisations who want to get involved.
WHO CAN BE A SPONSOR?
Anyone who wants to support something truly ground-breaking here in Australia and New Zealand! The award is non-profit so all sponsorship money will go towards making the 2025 award (and future awards) as successful and far-reaching as possible. The more money and support we have, the more prize money we can offer winners, the further our brochure can reach, and the more celebrations we can arrange.
HOW CAN POSSIBLE SPONSORS GET INVOLVED?
By emailing us today to register their interest, arrange a chat about how we can support one another, and to receive our sponsorship packages.
WHO CAN BE A JUDGE?
Children from all backgrounds and ages who live in Australia and New Zealand, including and very much welcoming those from diverse, marginalised, and minority backgrounds, are invited to judge and curate our longlist. All judges will receive a gift package as a thank you.
HOW DO JUDGES APPLY?
Via a simple application form to be completed with an adult's permission.
WHO RUNS THE DANZ AWARD?
The DANZ committee is made up of the following brilliant and passionate people: Founder Kate Foster, Kristin Darell, Martha Itzcovitz, Shirley Marr, Linsay Knight, and Dee White. We also have a Book Nomination Panel made up of a group of diverse people who work with children and in children's publishing.
HOW DO WE ASK QUESTIONS THAT ARE NOT ANSWERED HERE?
Email us at [email protected]