05/10/2022

The distinguished Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellowship celebrates 30 years, with applications now open for 2023. 

Established in 1992, the Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellowship (BDEF) provides a unique opportunity for an Australian editor to develop their knowledge and expertise through an international research project. Their findings are then shared through a report, workshops and presentations, benefiting editorial peers and the wider Australian publishing industry.

Named after the distinguished literary editor Beatrice Davis in honour of her contribution to Australian publishing, the Fellowship has been awarded biennially since 1998.

Over the past 30 years, fifteen Fellows have investigated everything from the evolving role of the editor through to diversity, digital disruption, editorial training, and YA publishing.

In 2023 the Fellowship is worth up to $35,000, covering the successful editor’s professional, accomodation, travel and living expenses during the research trip and in delivering their findings.

Impact on past winners

Past winners note the huge impact the Fellowship had on their careers, its value to the authors they work with, as well as the wider industry:

‘the opportunity to connect with so many of my remarkable peers working in the inclusive publishing space has been life-changing, I could not have asked for a better experience of this important editorial fellowship.’
 – Radhiah Chowdhury, BDEF 2019-20

‘My time in New York as the Fellow was inspiring, challenging, affirming, and by far the best and most intensive learning experience of my career. 

Because of the BDEF, I am a better public speaker, a better writer, a better traveller, and a better listener. But most of all, I am a better editor. I learned so much from observing editors at many different houses across such a large and different market, and every day I use what I learned in the art, craft and hard work of being an editor.’
– Susannah Chambers, BDEF 2013-14

‘Winning the Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellowship is the single best moment of my working life. Taking part in the program sharpened my focus, opened my eyes to how other larger book markets operate and has benefited every book I’ve worked on and every author I’ve worked with ever since. 

I cannot recommend it enough to editors thinking about applying and to publishing houses thinking about supporting.’
– Jane Morrow, BDEF 2011-12

‘The value is immeasurable to the Fellows, least of all because it affords them a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge and expertise as editors; but more than this, it is also tremendously valuable to the entire Australian publishing industry. 

Every single Fellow throughout the years has contributed enormously to enriching the industry, whether in the giving of their wisdom and know-how as freelance or in-house editors, or in the discovery and development of extraordinary Australian writing talent as commissioning editors and publishers.’
– Alexandra Nahlous, BDEF 2009-10

Applications for BDEF 2023

To learn more, view guidelines and submit your application, please visit the BDEF 2023 pages on the APA website. 

Applications for 2023 close on Tuesday 15 November 2022. 

The Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellowship is an initiative of the Australian Publishers Association’s Trade Publishers Committee, assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.