On Tuesday, 3 June 2025, at the elegant Western Australian Government House Ballroom, Chuckie Raven was announced as the winner of the 2025 Fogarty Literary Award. Raven’s debut novel, Glimmers in the Sea Glass, earned them a $20,000 cash prize from the Fogarty Foundation, a publishing contract with Fremantle Press, and a $1,500 writing fellowship from the Centre for Stories.

Glimmers in the Sea Glass is a powerful queer young adult novel that explores themes of family—how it is defined, redefined, and strengthened across generations. Raven described their work as “about the strength of young queer people and the importance of our queer elders and our community.” They reflected on the novel’s deeper layers, noting, “It’s also about silence, and the ways it creeps into our lives, our circles, and how we can speak it out of existence.”

Raven expressed their ongoing amazement at the recognition, saying, “I’m still processing my shortlisting, much less the win. It feels like the world of writing has opened up to me, and I can’t imagine where that’s going to lead. It’s so validating and humbling to have my work read and noted. I’m really excited about the possibility of bringing another queer West Australian story to the world.”

Annie Fogarty AM, Executive Chairperson of the Fogarty Foundation, praised Raven’s talent and advocacy, saying, “Chuckie Raven is a gifted writer who shares the kinds of stories they wished they’d had growing up. Through their youth advocacy, they are already making a positive impact on the world. We are proud to support Chuckie in reaching readers who need this book.”

Alex Allan, CEO of Fremantle Press, also applauded the winning manuscript, stating, “Once again, the Fogarty Award has unearthed a unique manuscript we’re thrilled to publish.” ” The judges were impressed by how the novel highlights the evolving queer experience across decades and the powerful role community plays in shaping it.”

Glimmers in the Sea Glass is set for publication in 2026. Meanwhile, shortlisted writers Jessica Baker, Seth Malacari, and Serena Moss will work closely with Fremantle Press publishers Georgia Richter and Cate Sutherland to further develop their manuscripts.

The 2025 judging panel included Fremantle Press publishers Georgia Richter and Cate Sutherland, Fogarty Literary Award winner and author Brooke Dunnell, and Centre for Stories Program Coordinator Camila Egusquiza Santa Cruz. They also highly commended three novels: Dark Red by Kayla Browne, Wagger’s Champloo by Patrick Marlborough, and Encore, Encore by Elliot Stone.

About Chuckie Raven

Chuckie Raven (they/them) is a youth worker and craftsperson based in Nollamara, Western Australia. They are the founder and lead of Perth Pride Shed, Perth’s first LGBTQIA+ community shed. Passionate about supporting queer youth, Chuckie works with The Freedom Centre, where they have met many inspiring young minds. Their debut novel draws from their own queer experience and their family’s life in WA’s South West.

Follow Chuckie Raven on Instagram: @ChuckieRaven