Michael Winkler is an Australian writer of fiction and non-fiction.
Winkler's novel Grimmish [1] [2] was shortlisted for the 2022 Miles Franklin Award. It was the first self-published novel ever longlisted or shortlisted for the prize. [3] [4] Grimmish was subsequently published by Puncher & Wattman (Australia), Peninsula Press (UK), Coach House Books (North America) and Mutatis Mutandis (Spanish translation, Spain).
His essay 'The Great Red Whale' won the Calibre Prize. [5] His advocacy for local recognition of Leigh Bowery's legacy was instrumental in the naming of the Bowery Theatre in St Albans. [6] [7]
Winkler has been a judge of The Age Book of the Year [8] and the Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize.
The Miles Franklin Literary Award is an annual literary prize awarded to "a novel which is of the highest literary merit and presents Australian life in any of its phases". The award was set up according to the will of Miles Franklin (1879–1954), who is best known for writing the Australian classic My Brilliant Career (1901). She bequeathed her estate to fund this award. As of 2016, the award is valued at A$60,000.
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Grimmish is a 2021 experimental historical novel by Australian writer Michael Winkler. It was first published as a paperback original in January 2021 in Australia by Westbourne Books. The book is based on the tour of Australia in 1908–09 by boxer Joe Grim. It includes Grim's work as a sparring partner for both Jack Johnson and Tommy Burns prior to their Fight of the Century on Boxing Day 1908.
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