Announcing the shortlist for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards

Congratulations to all Penguin Random House authors shortlisted for the 2019 NSW Premier's Literary Awards.  
 

Christina Stead Prize for Fiction  

• The Shepherd’s Hut by Tim Winton  
   

Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature  

• The Dog with Seven Names by Dianne Wolfer   
   

Ethel Turner Prize for Young Adult’s Literature  

• I Am Out With Lanterns by Emily Gale  
• Stone Girl by Eleni Hale   
   

Multicultural NSW Award  

• Miss Ex-Yugoslavia by Sofija Stefanovic   
   

NSW Premier’s Prize for Translation  

• Stephanie Smee

Thirty judges considered almost 600 entries across 10 prize categories, with the winners to be announced on the eve of the Sydney Writers’ Festival on Monday 29 April 2019. Up to $310,000 in prize money will be awarded including sponsored awards, making them the richest state-funded literary awards in the country.

State Librarian John Vallance FAHA, said: 'This year we celebrate 40 years of the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. Over the past four decades these Awards have recognised and rewarded hundreds of outstanding Australian writers.'

'This year’s shortlist is yet another shining example of the breadth and depth of literature available in this country,' Dr Vallance said.

2019 Senior Judge, Suzanne Leal, commented: 'In works that challenge the boundaries of genre and form, the nominees find wonder in a crisis-filled world. With wit, compassion, intellectual rigor and careful observation, they consider the triumphs and shortcoming of the past, the challenges of the present and their hopes for the future. My congratulations to each of the nominees for these fine works.'

Voting also opens today for the People’s Choice Award. The winner will be chosen by the public from the shortlist for the 2019 Christina Stead Prize for Fiction. The winner will be announced at the presentation of the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards on 29 April 2019. Vote now.

The NSW Premier’s Literary Awards have a proud history, both in celebrating achievement by Australian writers and in helping to establish values and standards in Australian literature. 2019 marks the 40 year anniversary of the Awards.