Following a rigorous judging process, The Stella 2026 judges Sophie Gee (Chair), Jaclyn Crupi, Benjamin Law, Gillian O’Shaughnessy and Ellen van Neerven have chosen six outstanding works by Australian women and non-binary writers to make up the 2026 Stella Prize Shortlist.
“These six wonderful books reflect the creative vitality, literary rigor, and expressive richness of Australian women’s and non-binary writing. The 2026 shortlist comprises poetry, a graphic novel, a work of hybrid critical and creative writing, a memoir and two novels,” said Sophie Gee.
“Each of these gives readers an irresistible sense of being new, while at the same time showing the writers’ deep engagement and skill with their chosen genre. We encounter the thrill of innovation alongside the enduring pleasures of literary form.”
The 2026 Stella Prize Shortlist:
- The Rot by Evelyn Araluen (Poetry)
- Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks (Non-Fiction/Memoir)
- Fireweather by Miranda Darling (Fiction)
- Cannon by Lee Lai (Graphic Novel)
- 58 Facets: On violence and the law by Marika Sosnowski (Non-Fiction)
- I Am Nannertgarrook by Tasma Walton (Fiction)
“The books contained in this year’s Stella Prize shortlist remind us that women and non-binary writers contain multitudes. These six books contain big stories and little stories,” said Stella Prize CEO and Creative Director Fiona Sweet.
“Big stories that challenge and delight readers and introduce ideas that dismantle the very structures we take as fact. There are also little stories, small, tender, sensitive and beautiful moments that reflect on personhood, gender, relationships, trauma and loss. These little stories stay with us intimately long after finishing a book.”
“There are many forms of stories in this list, from a graphic novel, poetry and prose, to memoir and non-fiction, which showcase the incredible calibre within these genres. I hope you enjoy these big and small worlds that these books generously welcome us into just as much as I did,” said Sweet.
Each of the shortlisted authors receives $5,000 in prize money. This year, Stella received over 212 entries vying for the annual Stella Prize award of $60,000 for one extraordinary book, announced on Wednesday 13 May 2026.
The Stella Prize is open to books by Australian women and non-binary writers. The winning book of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry will be deemed by the judges to be original, excellent and engaging. Books entered in the 2026 Stella Prize must be first published between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025. Books by Stella Prize staff and Board members are not eligible for entry in the Prize, and authors are required to provide permission for their books to be entered.
Past winners of the Stella Prize include: Michelle de Kretser, 2025, (Theory & Practice); Alexis Wright, 2024, (Praiseworthy); Sarah Holland-Batt, 2023 (The Jaguar); Evelyn Araluen, 2022 (Dropbear); Evie Wyld, 2021 (The Bass Rock); Jess Hill, 2020 (See What You Made Me Do); Vicki Laveau-Harvie, 2019 (The Erratics); Alexis Wright, 2018 (Tracker); Heather Rose, 2017 (The Museum of Modern Love); Charlotte Wood, 2016 (The Natural Way of Things); Emily Bitto, 2015 (The Strays); Clare Wright, 2014 (The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka); and Carrie Tiffany, 2013 (Mateship with Birds).
The Stella Prize will announced on Wednesday 13 May 2026. For more information, visit: www.thestellaprize.com.au for details.
Image: The Stella Prize 2026 Shortlist Book Covers (supplied)