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Literature prizes

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Montreal-based Lee Lai at work.

The graphic novel that just made literary history (and why you should read it)

From history-making milestones to draft-dodging wombats, graphic novels have finally conquered the literary elite.

  • Jane Sullivan

Latest

Novelist Charlotte McConaghy won the prize for literary fiction at the Australian Book Industry Association Awards.

How a gamble on a remote island saved Charlotte McConaghy’s novel

The Australian novelist was among the big winners at the book industry’s night of nights.

  • Melanie Kembrey
Randa Abdel-Fattah at February’s Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, where her novel Discipline won the People’s Choice Award.

Randa Abdel-Fattah among authors on longlist for $60,000 Miles Franklin Literary Award

The longlist includes Randa Abdel-Fattah’s Discipline, selected after controversy surrounding the novelist’s removal from Adelaide Writers’ Week.

  • Melanie Kembrey
Darren Groth is the author of nine novels. His latest book, Marooned, is the story of his life told through State of Origin clashes.

Darren witnessed one of Origin’s most shameful events. It made him a better man

A lifelong Maroons fan has written his autobiography. From Alfie Langer to miracle tries to beer-can showers, the book portrays State of Origin as a thrilling mirror to the ups and downs of life.

  • Nick Dent
NSW Literary Awards winner Clare Wright.

The history book running out of room for awards stickers has won again

The NSW Literary Awards honoured a mix of established names and breakout voices on Monday night.

  • Melanie Kembrey
Best Young Novelists

Meet the trio crowned 2026’s Best Young Australian Novelists

As the prize for young writers marks a milestone anniversary, we introduce to this year’s winners.

  • Melanie Kembrey
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Author Lee Lai

A portrait of rage: Lee Lai’s graphic novel Cannon wins the Stella Prize

The graphic novel Cannon by trans author Lee Lai has won the prestigious literary award.

  • Kerrie O'Brien
Author and journalist Kate Wild.

A masterclass in fiction and a vivid exploration of race: The Age Book of the Year winners

This year’s two winners have been announced at the opening of the Melbourne Writers Festival.

  • Kylie Northover
Geraldine Brooks: from the Herald’s racing desk to winning the Pulitzer Prize.

‘You may find me chained to a tree’: Geraldine Brooks reveals her next act

From the Herald’s racing desk to fleeing Saddam Hussein and losing the love of her life, Brooks has led an extraordinary life.

  • Peter FitzSimons
“I was under the poverty level,” Martel says of the time when he was writing Life of Pi. “It didn’t matter because I was working on this book that I loved.”

The unexpected thing Booker winner Yann Martel was doing while writing two books

Canadian author Yann Martel on writing his breakthrough novel Life of Pi, why he hates Trump – and dealing with “a tidal wave of money”.

  • Benjamin Law