Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards shortlist 2026

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The 2026 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards shortlist 2026 has been announced. Of special interest:

Prize for Children’s Literature
Once I Was a Giant by Zeno Sworder (Thames and Hudson Australia) 
Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt and Ben Williams (Allen & Unwin) 
Creature Clinic by Gavin Aung Than (Hardie Grant Children's Publishing) 
The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe by Karen Foxlee (Allen & Unwin)

Highly commended
My Mum is a Bird by Angie Cui (University of Queensland Press) 
Spirit of the Crocodile by Aaron Fa'aoso, Lyn White and Michelle Scott Tucker (Allen & Unwin)

John Marsden Prize for Writing for Young Adults
This Stays Between Us by Margo McGovern (Penguin Random House Australia) 
Moonlight & Dust by Jasmin McGaughey (Allen & Unwin) 
How to Be Normal by Ange Crawford (Walker Books Australia)

Highly commended
Weaving Us Together by Lay Maloney (Hachette Australia) 
Strange Bedfellows by Ariel Ries (HarperCollins)

Prize for Indigenous Writing

A Savage Turn by Luke Patterson (Magabala)
Old Days Imanka nurna laakinha nitjaarta by Marjorie ‘Nunga’ Williams (Magabala)
Weaving Country by Aunty Kim Wandin and Christine Joy (Walker Books)