UWAP is proud to congratulate Reneé Pettitt-Schipp for winning the 2019 Western Australian Premier's Book Award for an Emerging Writer for her collection of poetry, The Sky Runs Right Through Us. The collection was shortlisted for UWAP's Dorothy Hewett Award for an Unpublished Manuscript in 2015.
These beautiful Christmas Island poems capture both the despair of asylum seekers imprisoned by rock and sea and their ancient will to continue. - Gillian Triggs
The Premier's office made the following remarks:
The Premier's Prize for an Emerging Writer was won by the poet, Reneé Pettitt-Schipp for her book The Sky Runs Right Through Us (UWA Press) described by the judges as an evocative and memorable poetry collection of experiences both personal and political.
The Premier's Book Awards are the state's peak awards for writers and focus on supporting Western Australian writers.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"Reinstating the Premier's Book Awards as the annual literary highlight of the State's cultural calendar was a key election commitment for the creative sector.
"Congratulations to all the winners and I look forward to reading the new novel by A.J Betts when it is published."
Comments attributed to Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"The Premier's Book Awards have been redesigned to be unashamedly Western Australian in their focus. Making a living from writing is not easy and it is important to promote our writers, because our stories are important.
"It is fitting that the Awards are held in the State Library as it is a place of learning, a place where literature and writing is celebrated.
"I urge all Western Australians to support our local writers by checking out the winners and those on the shortlist of these important awards."
Use the code POETRYFREEPOSTAGE at the checkout when purchasing The Sky Runs Right Through Us or any of our other poetry titles, and we'll waive shipping fees on your order!