A colourful tile featuring Anna's cover of her poetry collection Anxious in a Sweet Store, along with the words 'Australian Jewish Book Award' and 'The Jewish Independent Young Jewish Writers Award'

Shortlist: 2024 Australian Jewish Book Awards

I have been shortlisted in the 2024 Shalom Australian Jewish Book Awards in the Jewish Independent Young Jewish Writers Award category for my book Anxious in a Sweet Store (2023, Upswell). This second illustrated poetry collection braids two parts of my identity in my writing – my Jewish culture and lived experience within mental health. There is challah, anxiety, gefilte fish, music, madness, matzah balls, and memory. I would especially like to thank Terri-ann White at Upswell for publishing my book, and my brilliant poetry mentor and editor, Felicity Plunkett, along with my supportive family and friends. The winners will be announced at the Sydney Jewish Writers Festival in August. 

A colourful tile featuring Anna's cover of her poetry collection Anxious in a Sweet Store, along with the judge's comments that read 'A stunning collection so vital and inventive poetry that deftly moves between themes of mental health and recovery and the singular feeling of growing up Jewish in modern Australia. Sizzles with inventiveness, both in form and content.'