The Big Issue editor Amy Hetherington said the 2017 Fiction Edition included 14 captivating stories from both established and emerging writers.
“There’s something really special about the Fiction Edition. It’s a highlight of the year for The Big Issue and the literary community. It gives us a chance to showcase incredible work by writers of all experience levels,” she said.
“This year we have a story from author Paulo Coelho, whose books have been translated into more than 70 languages, along with a story from a writer being published for the first time. It’s a joy to show the country how much talent is out there.”
Over the past 12 years, the annual Fiction Edition has featured work from leading Australian authors including Maxine Beneba Clarke, John Marsden, AS Patric, Graeme Simsion and Christos Tsiolkas, among many others.
Guest judge Nick Earls said the number of people who submitted stories for the 2017 Fiction Edition demonstrated its impact on the Australian literary scene.
“An entry pool that size pretty much guarantees an impressive shortlist,” he said.
“I’ve always been a fan of The Big Issue, in terms of both its purpose and its content.”
