ASA names six novels on 2026 Barbara Jefferis Award shortlist

Emily Maguire, Michelle de Kretser and Jumaana Abdu are among the contenders for the $50,000 biennial prize.

By The Book Source15 September 20261 minute read

The Australian Society of Authors has shortlisted six novels for the 2026 Barbara Jefferis Award, a biennial prize for the best novel by an Australian author that depicts women and girls positively or strengthens their standing in society.

The shortlist is Translations by Jumaana Abdu (Penguin Random House Australia), Theory and Practice by Michelle de Kretser (Text Publishing), Rapture by Emily Maguire (Allen & Unwin), The Sun was Electric Light by Rachel Morton (University of Queensland Press), A Piece of Red Cloth by Leonie Norrington, Djawundil Maymuru, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs and Djawa Burarrwanga (Allen & Unwin), and Out of the Woods by Gretchen Shirm (Transit Lounge).

Jaclyn Crupi chaired the judging panel with Tara June Winch and Lucy Treloar, a co-winner in 2024. The judges said they were unanimous on the six books. Eligible novels were first published between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025.

The winner receives $50,000, with a further $5,000 shared among the shortlisted authors. The result will be announced on 10 November at the Colin Simpson Memorial Keynote at the State Library of NSW, where the 2026 ASA Medal will also be presented.

Original source: Australian Society of Authors ↗

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