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News  •  16 July 2020

 

The 2020 Miles Franklin Literary Award winner Is…

We’re thrilled to share that Wiradjuri author Tara June Winch’s The Yield has won the 2020 Miles Franklin Literary Award.

Profoundly moving and exquisitely written, The Yield is the story of a people and a culture dispossessed. But it is equally a celebration of what was and what endures, and a powerful reclaiming of Indigenous language, storytelling and identity.

At a time when Australia is reckoning with itself, Winch says it’s imperative we hear more Indigenous voices in literature.

'I'm honoured to be among brilliant colleagues on the longlist and shortlist, our power is in the many stories and not only the one. The historical presence of both Tony Birch and myself on the shortlist signals to the publishing industry that we can write our own stories, and that we don't want to be spoken for. I hope this event also encourages the next generation of Indigenous voices, to know there is a space here for you in the industry, and in the minds and hearts of a new era of readers. We need to hear voices from across the nation to truly immerse ourselves in the song of Australia.’

The Miles Franklin Literary Award was established by prolific author and feminist Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin, now best known for her first novel My Brilliant Career. First presented in 1957, the Award celebrates novels of the highest literary merit that tell stories about Australian life.

This award joins a growing list of accolades for The Yield, including the Book of the Year, the People’s Choice Award and the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction at the NSW Premier's Literary Awards.

Read an extract from The Yield here.

Feature Title

The Yield: Winner of the 2020 Miles Franklin Award
Winner of the 2020 Miles Franklin Award. Winner, Book of the Year, People's Choice, Christina Stead Prize for Fiction at NSW Premier's Literary Award. Shortlisted for the Stella Prize. Shortlisted for the VPLA. Just tell the truth and someone will hear it eventually.
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