The Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards has unveiled the shortlist of outstanding works vying for one of Australia’s richest literary prizes in 2026.
Administered by The Wheeler Centre on behalf of the Victorian Government, the VPLAs’ AUD$292,000 prize pool celebrates excellence in Australian literature across seven main categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Drama, Writing for Young Adults, Children’s Literature and Indigenous Writing, with an additional prize dedicated to an Unpublished Manuscript.
In a special tribute to the acclaimed writer, teacher and mentor, this year’s Writing for Young Adults category will be awarded in honour of John Marsden. The renaming acknowledges Marsden’s profound influence on generations of young readers and writers, and his significant contributions in championing the development of Australian young adult literature, education and storytelling.
“For more than 40 years, the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards have reminded us of the power and possibility of great storytelling,” said Erin Vincent, CEO, The Wheeler Centre. “These Awards celebrate literary excellence and more importantly they honour the writers who shape how we understand the world around us.”
“As Melbourne’s home for Books, Writing and Ideas, The Wheeler Centre is proud to deliver the VPLAs on behalf of the Victorian Government, as these awards elevate the rich diversity of Australian storytelling.”
This year’s shortlisted titles reflect the depth, diversity and innovation of Australia’s literary landscape, with the nation’s small independent presses as well as First Nations authors being particularly well represented across the selection.
The winners of the Fiction, Non-Fiction, Drama, Poetry, Indigenous Writing, Children’s Literature and Writing for Young Adults categories will each receive $25,000.
The Award for an Unpublished Manuscript carries $15,000 in prize money and includes a two-week creative residency at McCraith House in Dromana, delivered in partnership with RMIT Culture and The Wheeler Centre.
All category winners then become contenders for the Victorian Prize for Literature – one of Australia’s richest single literary awards, worth an additional $100,000.
Meanwhile, voting is now open for the People’s Choice Award, with shortlisted and highly commended titles eligible for the $2,000 prize. Readers across the country are invited to cast their votes via The Wheeler Centre website.
“From tales of fantasy to comic relief, powerful poetry to captivating storytelling – this year’s shortlist will be a treasure trove for readers of all ages over the summer months,” said Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks MP.
“The Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards celebrate and showcase the exceptional talent of writers from Victoria and across the country, and diverse stories that make up our cultural fabric. Congratulations to all shortlisted writers.”
Winners will be announced at a special ceremony in Melbourne and live-streamed on The Wheeler Centre website on Wednesday 25 February 2026. For more information, visit: www.wheelercentre.com for details.
Image: Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards Shortlisted Titles 2026 (supplied)
Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards Shortlists 2026
FICTION:
A Piece of Red Cloth by Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubb, Leonie Norrington, Djawa Burarrwanga and Djawundil Maymuru (Allen & Unwin)
Cannon by Lee Lai (Giramondo Publishing)
Fierceland by Omar Musa (Penguin Random House Australia)
The Gowkaran Tree in the Middle of Our Kitchen by Shokoofeh Azar (Europa Editions)
The Immigrants: Fabula Mirabilis, or A Wonderful Story by Moreno Giovannoni (Black Inc.)
The Sun was Electric Light by Rachel Morton (University of Queensland Press)
Highly Commended:
Desolation by Asgari Hossein (Ultimo Press)
Discipline by Randa Abdel-Fattah (University of Queensland Press)
The Slip by Miriam Webster (Aniko Press)
NON-FICTION:
Ankami by Debra Dank (Echo Publishing)
Conspiracy Nation by Cam Wilson and Ariel Bogle (Ultimo Press)
Find Me at the Jaffa Gate: An encyclopaedia of a Palestinian family by Micaela Sahhar (NewSouth)
Looking from the North: Australian history from the top down by Henry Reynolds (NewSouth)
The Eagle and the Crow by JM Field (University of Queensland Press)
INDIGENOUS WRITING:
The Art of Kaylene Whiskey: Do You Believe in Love edited by Natalie King and Iwantja Arts (Thames & Hudson)
The Eagle & the Crow by JM Field (University of Queensland Press)
The Rot by Evelyn Araluen (University of Queensland Press)
Windows and Mirrors by Djon Mundine (Art Ink)
Highly Commended:
A Savage Turn by Luke Patterson (Magabala Books)
Old Days Imanka nurna laakinha nitjaarta by Marjorie ‘Nunga’ Williams (Magabala Books)
Weaving Country by Aunty Kim Wandin and Christine Joy (Walker Books Australia)
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE:
Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt and Ben Williams (Allen & Unwin)
Creature Clinic by Gavin Aung Than (Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing)
Once I Was a Giant by Zeno Sworder (Thames and Hudson Australia)
The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe by Karen Foxlee (Allen & Unwin)
Highly Commended:
My Mum is a Bird by Angie Cui (University of Queensland Press)
Spirit of the Crocodile by Aaron Fa’aoso, Lyn White and Michelle Scott Tucker (Allen & Unwin)
DRAMA:
Fly Girl by Genevieve Hegney (Ensemble Theatre Company and Lisa Mann Creative Management)
Super by Emilie Collyer (Currency Press and Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre)
The Black Woman of Gippsland by Andrea James (Currency Press & Melbourne Theatre Company)
POETRY:
KONTRA by Eunice Andrada (Giramondo Publishing)
The Rot by Evelyn Araluen (University of Queensland Press)
Two Hundred Million Musketeers by Ender Başkan (Giramondo Publishing)
Highly Commended:
Fivehundred Swimming Pools by Connor Weightman (Rabbit Poetry)
The Dingo’s Noctuary by Judith Nangala Crispin (Puncher and Wattmann)
JOHN MARSDEN PRIZE FOR WRITING FOR YOUNG ADULTS:
How to Be Normal by Ange Crawford (Walker Books Australia)
Moonlight & Dust by Jasmin McGaughey (Allen & Unwin)
This Stays Between Us by Margo McGovern (Penguin Random House Australia)
Highly Commended:
Strange Bedfellows by Ariel Ries (HarperCollins)
Weaving Us Together by Lay Maloney (Hachette Australia)
UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT:
Incognito by Anatolij Lisov
The Final Voyage of Charles Le Corre by Will Paine
The Kookaburra by Charlotte Guest
Highly Commended:
Harmony by Ethan Garraway
More Real by Ella Mittas