Stella Prize 2026 Long List

Stella Prize

The 2026 Stella Prize Longlist presents another twelve exceptional works by Australian women and non-binary writers. 

Spanning poetry, memoir, fiction, non-fiction and graphic works, the 2026 longlist presents themes that explore the transformative power of memory, truth and the intrinsic beauty of creative fiction. 

This year Stella received 212 entries. In the coming weeks, this list will be reduced to six to make up the short list, to be announced on Wednesday, April 8th, before one extraordinary book is awarded the $60,000 Stella Prize, announced May 13th.

Long List

  • KONTRA by Eunice Andrada (Poetry)
  • The Rot by Evelyn Araluen (Poetry)
  • Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks (Non-Fiction/Memoir)
  • Ankami by Debra Dank (Nonfiction/Memoir/Social commentary)
  • Fireweather by Miranda Darling (Fiction)
  • Apron-Sorrow / Sovereign-Tea by Natalie Harkin (Non-Fiction)
  • Cannon by Lee Lai (Graphic Novel)
  • Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (Fiction)
  • Wait Here by Lucy Nelson (Fiction)
  • Find Me at the Jaffa Gate: An Encyclopaedia of a Palestinian family by Micaela Sahhar (Nonfiction/Memoir)
  • 58 Facets: On violence and the law by Marika Sosnowski (Non-Fiction)
  • I Am Nannertgarrook by Tasma Walton (Fiction)
Kontra | Eunice Andrada
The Rot | Evelyn Araluen
Memorial Days | Geraldine Brooks
Ankami | Debra Dank
Fireweather | Miranda Darling
Apron-sorrow / Sovereign-Tea | Natalie Harkin
Cannon | Lee Lai
Wild Dark Shore | Charlotte McConaghy
Wait Here | Lucy Nelson
Find Me at the Jaffa Gate | Micaela Sahhar
58 Facets on violence and the Law | Marika Sosnowski
I Am Nannertgarrook | Tasma Walton

“Selected from an enormous pool of 212 entries, this year’s judges have read thoughtfully and thoroughly across genres to bring us a cohort of twelve incredibly different, yet equally remarkable books.

The Stella Prize is proud to celebrate a wide array of stories – difference has always been our strength. The 2026 Stella Prize long list spans widely across form and content, displaying some of the very best new work from Australian women and non-binary writers.

There are stories here for everyone, stories that will resonate, surprise, delight, and challenge. We hope you will dive in and discover for yourself.” Stella Prize CEO and Creative Director Fiona Sweet.

Our regional Stella Day Out in 2026 will be held in Bendigo this year.

Recent News

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Minerva's Secrets Night Tours

Night Tours

Fri 31 Oct – Sat 15 Nov

& Fri 12 Dec
 

Tour 1 at 7pm
Tour 2 at 9pm. 

Linen & Lace Exhbition

Includes Devonshire Tea | $20

Sat & Sun 22, 23 Oct
10am-4pm

Remembrance Day:

A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia

Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm

Thu 16 Oct – 19 Oct 

 Coming soon

Rozzi Bazzani. Stella Day Out: Katia Ariel & Samah Sabawi, Rachael Johns

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Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson, Rozzi Bazzani.

Raise a Glass for Brass

The Little Brass Band BMI Fundraiser

Sun 10 August at 2pm

Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm

with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August at 6pm

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Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey

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5 July – 27 July 

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with Gail Holmes

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28 May at 6pm

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Australian Heritage Festival

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