2026 NT Book Awards Shortlist Announced, Celebrating Top End Literary Diversity
The shortlist for the 2026 NT Book Awards showcases eight titles across fiction, non-fiction, and children's and young adult literature. Judges Maree Yoelu, Kate Cuthbert, and Leni Shilton praised the submissions for their impressive 'breadth and depth of story,' with numerous works featuring Indigenous languages. Launched in 2009, these awards celebrate outstanding regional writing. The winners will be revealed on 23 September during the NT Writing Awards in Garramilla/Darwin and Mparntwe/Alice Springs, which will be livestreamed. Each winning author will receive a $10,000 Arts NT Fellowship, while those on the shortlist will earn $1,000. Among the highlighted books are 'Moonlight and Dust' by Jasmin McGaughey and 'Keep Him My Heart' by Gary Lee. Past recipients include Mary Anne Butler and Kieran Finnane.
Key facts
- The 2026 NT Book Awards shortlist includes eight books across three categories.
- Judges: Maree Yoelu, Kate Cuthbert, and Leni Shilton.
- Winners announced on 23 September at the NT Writing Awards in Garramilla/Darwin and Mparntwe/Alice Springs.
- Each category winner receives a $10,000 Arts NT Fellowship; shortlisted writers receive $1000.
- Fiction shortlist includes 'Moonlight and Dust' by Jasmin McGaughey and 'A Piece of Red Cloth' by Leonie Norrington, Djawundil Maymuru, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, and Djawa Burarrwanga.
- 'A Piece of Red Cloth' is a finalist in the Prime Minister's Literary Awards.
- Non-fiction shortlist includes 'Keep Him My Heart' by Gary Lee, 'High Fire Danger' by Emma Trenorden, and 'The Art of Kaylene Whiskey' by Kaylene Whiskey, Natalie King, and Iwantja Arts.
- Children's and young adult shortlist includes works by Kylie Gatjawarrawuy Mununggurr, Darren McCallum, Children at Yirrkala School, and Rärriwuy Gurramu Marika and Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs.
Entities
Artists
- Kaylene Whiskey
- Natalie King
- Jasmin McGaughey
- Leonie Norrington
- Djawundil Maymuru
- Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs
- Djawa Burarrwanga
- Gary Lee
- Emma Trenorden
- Kylie Gatjawarrawuy Mununggurr
- Darren McCallum
- Craig Smith
- Rärriwuy Gurramu Marika
- Mary Anne Butler
- Kieran Finnane
- Marie Munkara
- Dani Powell
- Linda Wells
- Ciella Williams
Institutions
- NT Book Awards
- NT Writing Awards
- NT History Book Awards
- NT Literary Awards
- Arts NT
- Allen & Unwin
- Dishevel Books
- Walleah Press
- Thames & Hudson Australia
- Magabala Books
- Walker Books Australia
- Indigenous Literacy Foundation
- Iwantja Arts
- Prime Minister's Literary Awards
- ArtsHub
- ScreenHub
Locations
- Northern Territory
- Garramilla
- Darwin
- Mparntwe
- Alice Springs
- Iwantja
- Indulkana
- Yirrkala
- Australia