Stella Prize 2026 Longlist Celebrates Australian Literary Talent
The highly anticipated longlist for the 2026 Stella Prize has been unveiled, showcasing a vibrant and diverse collection of works by Australian women and non-binary authors. This year’s selection spans an impressive array of genres, including poetry, contemporary fiction, non-fiction, memoir, and a graphic novel, underscoring the rich tapestry of Australian storytelling.
Sophie Gee, Chair of the Judges, remarked on the exceptional quality of the submissions, noting that the chosen books “showed extraordinary diversity of genres, voices, technical experiments and literary flair.” The Stella Prize, a cornerstone of Australian literary recognition, champions authors who inspire, challenge, and broaden readers’ perspectives on the world. Gee expressed her hope that this year’s longlist will serve as a significant inspiration for both aspiring writers and avid readers across the nation.
The excitement continues as the shortlist reveal is slated for April, with the ultimate winner to be announced in May. Fiona Sweet, CEO, enthused, “There are stories here for everyone, stories that will resonate, surprise, delight, and challenge. We hope you will dive in and discover for yourself.”
The 2026 Stella Prize longlist features the following remarkable titles:
58 Facets: On violence and the law by Marika Sosnowski
This compelling non-fiction work delves into the complex interplay of violence and the law. Sosnowski’s grandfather’s journey from post-Holocaust Europe to Australia, a path marked by internment camps and the struggle for a new life, forms a powerful backdrop. The book masterfully interweaves the personal narratives of Holocaust survivors and those implicated in war crimes with the stories of Syrian activists and revolutionaries. It is a profound exploration of resilience and the search for meaning in the aftermath of profound trauma.Ankami by Debra Dank
In this poignant non-fiction and memoir, Debra Dank embarks on a quest to uncover her family’s history at the National Archives. What she unearths shatters her preconceived notions of her past, revealing the heartbreaking reality of lost family members. The discovery that her paternal grandmother bore ten children, four of whom were taken, forms the emotional core of this deeply personal account. It’s a powerful testament to the enduring impact of secrets and the profound pain of absence.
Apron-Sorrow / Sovereign-Tea by Natalie Harkin
This non-fiction title offers a profound examination of the multifaceted experiences and survival strategies of Aboriginal women. Through intergenerational stories that encompass loss, love, sorrow, solidarity, resistance, and refusal, Harkin crafts an embodied reckoning with the domestic labour and servitude faced by Aboriginal women. Drawing on oral histories and official state records, the book provides a vital and unflinching account of resilience and enduring spirit.Cannon by Lee Lai
A captivating graphic novel, “Cannon” tells the story of Cannon, a young woman who finds herself trashing the restaurant where she works. Her friend, Trish, arrives to help her navigate the literal and metaphorical wreckage. Their deep bond, forged in high school as queer, second-generation Chinese nerds who became each other’s lifelines, is at the heart of this narrative. It’s a tender exploration of queer friendship and the weight of familial responsibilities.Find Me at the Jaffa Gate: An Encyclopaedia of a Palestinian family by Micaela Sahhar
This non-fiction and memoir piece grapples with the inheritance of a Nakba survivor’s daughter. Micaela Sahhar meticulously examines moments, places, and objects to construct a narrative of Palestinian diaspora, tracing a journey from Bethlehem to the Palestinian enclaves within Jerusalem. The book delves into the unutterable gaps in family history and the vibrant, often chance-driven, reality of fragments and memory used to reclaim a sense of home.Fireweather by Miranda Darling
In this compelling work of fiction, Winona Dalloway finds her life in disarray. Her husband is gone, her children are absent, and her city is under siege from wildfires. Dismissed as unwell by medical professionals, Winona is compelled to assert her sanity. She seeks solace and a path to healing in the company of plants and animals, beginning to envision an alternative existence that might mend her fractured heart.I Am Nannertgarrook by Tasma Walton
This powerful fiction novel, based on the true story of Tasma Walton’s ancestor, recounts the harrowing abduction of Nannertgarrook from her peaceful life. Separated from her husband, daughter, and son, and pregnant at the time of her capture, she gives birth to another son. Nannertgarrook navigates raising her children alongside fellow captives, all while striving to keep the memory of her Boonwurrung family and her birthright alive in her mind. It’s an enduring story of maternal love against immense odds.KONTRA by Eunice Andrada
“KONTRA” is a collection of poetry that offers a fresh, female perspective on the “kontrabida,” the archetypal Filipina soap opera villain. Andrada reimagines this figure, not as driven by revenge, but by an untamed desire. The poems navigate the intricate space between poet and persona, exploring the delicate balance between perceived feminine virtue and transgression, desire and its refusal, and reverence and repulsion.Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks
This moving non-fiction memoir chronicles Geraldine Brooks’ profound experience of sudden loss. The unexpected death of her husband, Tony, in 2019 left a gaping void, with little time for grief. Three years later, Brooks travels to Tasmania to confront her sorrow and explore diverse cultural approaches to mourning. This journey becomes a quest to find rituals that might help her rebuild a life around the profound absence of her beloved. It is a testament to the joy, agony, and enduring mystery of life.
The Rot by Evelyn Araluen
Evelyn Araluen’s poetry collection unflinchingly confronts the death of Country and the ongoing violence of settler colonialism, both within Australia and abroad. The poems dissect the decay of romanticised notions, the failure of aspirations, and the profound injustices that permeate the world. “The Rot” is a challenging work that calls for readers to prepare for a better future and serves as a poignant liturgy for girlhood in the twilight of late-stage capitalism.Wait Here by Lucy Nelson
This collection of fiction stories offers a humorous yet deeply affecting look at the lives of women who are childless, whether by choice or circumstance. The narratives explore diverse experiences, from a dancer facing infertility to sisters making life-altering decisions, and a young woman contemplating the absence of male role models in her niece’s life. Across these tales, childlessness is depicted as a hard-won freedom, a source of joy, a burden, a conundrum, and a fragile comfort in a world facing significant challenges.Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
Set on Shearwater, an island near Antarctica, this fiction novel follows Dominic Salt and his children, caretakers of the world’s largest seed bank. As sea levels rise, they prepare to relocate the precious seeds. Their isolated existence is disrupted by the arrival of Rowan, a woman who washes ashore. While she becomes integrated into their lives, Rowan harbours secrets about her presence on the island, and Dominic, too, is keeping his own truths hidden. This is a gripping novel about the difficult choices made to protect loved ones amidst a world on the brink of collapse. Notably, “Wild Dark Shore” was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.
About the Stella Prize
The Stella Prize is a prestigious annual award that celebrates Australian women and non-binary authors across all literary genres. The winner receives a substantial prize of $60,000, with each longlisted author receiving $2,000.
Key Dates for the 2026 Stella Prize
- Shortlist Announcement: April 8, 2026
- Winner Announcement: May 13, 2026
The 2026 Judging Panel
The esteemed judging panel for the 2026 Stella Prize comprises Sophie Gee (Chair), Jaclyn Crupi, Benjamin Law, Gillian O’Shaughnessy, and Ellen van Neerven. Their selection process is guided by the core principles of originality, excellence, and genuine engagement with readers.
