2026 Prime Minister's Literary Awards Finalists Announced, Including Books on Art
The finalists for the 2026 Prime Minister's Literary Awards have been unveiled, featuring a total of 673 submissions across six categories. In the non-fiction section, notable entries include Tom McIlroy's 'Blue Poles' and Quentin Sprague's 'What Artists See.' Organized by Writing Australia with support from Creative Australia, winners in each category will receive a tax-free prize of $80,000, while shortlisted authors get $5,000. A panel of distinguished judges, including Sophie Cunningham and Favel Parrett, will select the winners. The results will be announced on September 10 at the National Library of Australia in Canberra, alongside additional finalists.
Key facts
- 673 entries across six categories
- Winners receive $80,000 tax-free prize
- Shortlisted writers receive $5,000 tax-free prize
- Non-fiction finalists include Tom McIlroy's 'Blue Poles' and Quentin Sprague's 'What Artists See'
- Winners announced at National Library of Australia in Canberra on 10 September
- Judging panels include Sophie Cunningham, Favel Parrett, Beejay Silcox, Fiona Wright, and Daniel Browning
- A collaborative group of Yolŋu writers are finalists for 'A Piece of Red Cloth'
- The awards are run by Writing Australia with backing from Creative Australia
Entities
Artists
- Tom McIlroy
- Quentin Sprague
- Rhett Davis
- Gretchen Shirm
- Eunice Andrada
- Evelyn Araluen
- Zana Fraillon
- Karen Foxlee
- Pip Harry
- Felicita Sala
- Sandy Bigna
- Valerie Brumby
- Demet Divaroren
- Miranda Luby
- Robbie Coburn
- Margot McGovern
- Judith Brett
- Shayne Breen
- Emily Gallagher
- Rachel Perkins
- Stephen Gapps
- Mina Murray
- Henry Reynolds
- Rohan Howitt
- John Kinsella
- Jill Jones
- Ender Başkan
- Leonie Norrington
- Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs
- Djawa Burarrwanga
- Djawundil Maymuru
- Merlinda Bobis
- Moreno Giovannoni
- S. Shakthidharan
- Dr Debra Dank
- Kate Wild
- Sophie Cunningham
- Favel Parrett
- Beejay Silcox
- Fiona Wright
- Daniel Browning
- Wenona Byrne
- Jackson Pollock
- Gough Whitlam
Institutions
- Prime Minister's Literary Awards
- Writing Australia
- Creative Australia
- National Library of Australia
- Victorian Premier's Literary Awards
- Stella Prize
- ArtsHub
Locations
- Australia
- Canberra
- Arnhem Land
- Barunga community