A guide to the six books vying for the $60,000 Stella Prize
The 2026 Stella Prize shortlist features six works by women and non-binary writers, spanning poetry, fiction, memoir, and a graphic novel. Notable finalists include Geraldine Brooks, Evelyn Araluen, and actor-turned-writer Tasma Walton. The winner of the $60,000 prize will be announced on May 13.
- ▪The 2026 Stella Prize shortlist includes works by Geraldine Brooks, Evelyn Araluen, Tasma Walton, Lee Lai, Marika Sosnowski, and Miranda Darling.
- ▪Evelyn Araluen's poetry collection The Rot won the 2026 Victorian Prize for Literature and was inspired by a heckle at Adelaide Writers' Week.
- ▪Geraldine Brooks' Memorial Days explores grief and recovery following the death of her husband.
- ▪Tasma Walton's I Am Nannertgarrook is a work of historical fiction, marking her transition from acting to writing.
- ▪The Stella Prize winner will be announced on May 13, with the prize worth $60,000.
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A guide to the 2026 Stella Prize shortlist, featuring Geraldine Brooks, Tasma Walton and moreBy Kate Evans for The Bookshelf; Claire Nichols for The Book Show; Nicola Heath; Katherine Smyrk; and Declan FryABC ArtsTopic:Awards and PrizesFri 1 MayFriday 1 MayFri 1 May 2026 at 6:30pm2026 Stella Prize-shortlisted authors Geraldine Brooks, Tasma Walton and Evelyn Araluen. (ABC Arts: Christian Harimanow)abc.net.au/news/stella-prize-shortlist-2026-geraldine-brooks-tasma-walton/106619552Link copiedShareShare articleThe Stella Prize continues to showcase the breadth of talent among women and non-binary writers in Australia, with poetry, memoir, fiction and a graphic novel making the shortlist in 2026.This year's six finalists include Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks, who explores…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).