> Skip to content

News  •  17 March 2020

 

Penguin Literary Prize shortlist announcement

We are thrilled to announce the shortlist for the 2020 instalment of the $20,000 Penguin Literary Prize.

The shortlisted titles are:

  • Morna Seres, Cloud Failure
  • Mick McCoy, Catch a Panther 
  • Sophie Overett, The Rabbits
  • Rachel Watts, In the Morning I Rise
  • Katelin Farnsworth, Found Again
  • Hayley Scrivenor, The Push Back

The 2020 winner will be announced on 17 June.

The PRH Literary Prize, launched in 2017, was established to find, nurture and develop new Australian authors of literary fiction. Previous winners include Hitch by Kathryn Hind, published June 2019, and The Spill by Imbi Neeme, to be published June 2020.

Of the 2020 entries, Justin Ractliffe, Publishing Director at Penguin Random House Australia, commented: ‘This year we’ve set a new record for submissions to the prize – over 400 entries representing all states and territories. Congratulations to everyone who entered and particular congratulations to our six shortlisted authors, just to make it this far is a huge achievement. I’m very much looking forward to working with our amazing panel of judges to read and discuss the work of these brilliant new writers.'

More features

See all
News
Penguin Literary Prize 2021 winner announced

And the winner is... James McKenzie Watson!

News
2021 Penguin Literary Prize shortlist announcement

We're thrilled to reveal the shortlist for the 2021 Penguin Literary Prize.

News
Penguin Literary Prize 2020 winner announced

And the winner is... Sophie Overett!

News
Penguin Literary Prize winner announced

We are delighted to announce the winner for the 2019 Penguin Literary Prize.

Q&A
Sophie Overett Q&A

The Penguin Literary Prize winner on inspiration, advice and what's next.

Q&A
Imbi Neeme Q&A

The 2019 Penguin Literary Prize winner on her inspiration, writing process and club sandwiches.

Book clubs
The Spill book club notes

Explore the cycles of love, loss and regret, that can follow a family through the years, with your reading group.

News
Introducing Penguin Storytime!

We’re delighted to introduce Penguin Storytime, where brilliant books come to life!

News
Remembering Dolly Parton, a champion of children’s literacy

Following the passing of Dolly Parton, Penguin Random House pays tribute to her unparalleled legacy, including a deep commitment to children’s literacy.

News
Ottolenghi SIMPLE TOO: 5 things we can reveal so far

Here's 5 things we know so far about Ottolenghi SIMPLE TOO!

News
Fierceland by Omar Musa wins 2026 Miles Franklin Literary Award

A trailblazing journey across the globe, Fierceland weaves the past and the present into an emotionally powerful family saga that plays out at a mythical scale.

News
Booker Prize 2026 longlist

The longlist for the 2026 Booker Prize has been announced, with five Penguin Random House titles named this year.

Looking for more news?

See all news