Literature prizes
Dicey Topics
Good Weekend
Sexism at work made Bonnie Garmus start writing. It sold 7 million copies
The American author of Lessons in Chemistry on why her debut novel took so long – and what makes her happiest about it.
- by Benjamin Law
Latest
Tony Birch wins Book of the Year for timely novel about one of Australia’s great challenges
Birch says that while his book wasn’t written “with that issue in mind”, it had become timely given the crucial discussions under way.
- by Jason Steger
She was told her fiction wasn’t ‘Australian enough’. Then she won the Miles Franklin
Working with a “billable hours” mindset, lawyer, mum of four and author Shankari Chandran weaves sharp social justice critiques through her loving family tales.
- by Melanie Kembrey
Magazine
Good Weekend
The May 4 Edition
How Australian publishing finally caught up with Miles Franklin winner Shankari Chandran | Our soaring status anxiety | What to do with love’s detritus?
Alexis Wright wins Stella Prize with ‘perhaps the great Australian novel’
The Indigenous writer has won the $60,000 award for her acclaimed novel, Praiseworthy, making her the first to win the prize twice.
- by Jason Steger
Book of the Year: the 12 titles that have made The Age shortlist
Fiction judges said they had chosen novels that were both fresh and wise. “Their stories and characters stayed with us, long after the pages were closed”
- by Jason Steger
Diagnosed with arthritis at 21, she struggled to find words to describe the pain
Katherine Brabon’s novel about living with chronic illness is one of six Australian books that make up the shortlist for the $60,000 Stella writing prize.
- by Jason Steger
Australia’s richest writing prize goes to Melbourne poet for family saga
Chinese Fish by Grace Yee is a multi-voice book of poetry about a migrant family running a fish and chip shop in New Zealand.
- by Jason Steger
Opinion
Opinion
How to say shibboleth in an Australian accent
What makes this young writer optimistic about the future of Sydney? Read his winning essay in the 19-24 age group of The Sydney Morning Herald’s inaugural prize.
- by Flynn Shan Benson
Opinion
Campus NSW
I leave our library with a greater burden – and that’s my reward
What makes this young writer optimistic about the future of Sydney? Read her winning essay in the 14-18 age group of The Sydney Morning Herald’s inaugural prize.
- by Eliza Hoh
Perspective
Brisbane
‘Good immigrants are grateful’: Nope, I’m Sri Lankan-Aussie, and I won’t stop calling out racism
Accepting my identity as a brown woman means standing up to prejudice – even if it makes people uncomfortable.
- by Gabriella Marcelline