Perth writer Josephine Wilson wins prestigious literary prize

Perth author Josephine Wilson was last night named as the winner of the 2017 Miles Franklin Literary Award for her novel Extinctions, published by local Perth company UWA Publishing.

Josephine received $60,000 prize money for the novel, which the judges described as 'compassionate and unapologetically intelligent'. Scoop interviewed Josephine back in July, where she spoke about writing the novel and her delight at having been shortlisted for the award. You can read that interview here.

She's one of just five West Australians to take the prize in the award's 60-year history, joining the likes of Kim Scott and Tim Winton.

Josephine said, 'As a Western Australian writer published by a local publisher, it is often hard to be embraced by the national writing culture. I am so very grateful that my book has received this recognition, and am honoured to be included with my peers under the name of Miles Franklin.'

Extinctions is published by Perth publishing company UWA Publishing priced at $29.99. Buy it here.

Perpetual is the Trustee of the award and the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund is a proud sponsor. Readers can visit www.milesfranklin.com.au for more information.

Image courtesy of Miles Franklin Literary Award/Peter Marko.