South Australian Literary Awards


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South Australian Literary Awards

The South Australian Literary Awards celebrates South Australia's diverse writing culture by offering national and state-based literary prizes across a range of genres. Three fellowships for South Australian writers are included, highlighting the importance of our unique local writers, supporting the literary community, and contributing to public engagement with literature.

Introduced in 1986, the South Australian Literary Awards are supported by the Government of South Australia through Arts South Australia, and proudly managed by the State Library of South Australia. 2024 heralded a new era for the Awards with the unveiling of a fresh look and new name.

The 2024 South Australian Literary Awards were announced on Tuesday 15 October 2024 at the State Library’s Mortlock Chamber. View the winners and shortlisted authors for each category below. Congratulations to all!

South Australian Premier's Award

National Awards

Premier's Award

$25,000 for the best overall published work.

Childhood
By Shannon Burns
Text Publishing

"Written with sharp intelligence and evocative prose, Childhood is an immersive and thought-provoking read."
~ Award Judges

This powerful debut memoir by Adelaide writer Shannon Burns vividly recounts his dysfunctional and disadvantaged upbringing in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. The book’s unflinching portrayal of trauma and social mobility offers deep insight into class and culture in South Australia.

Childhood by Shannon Burns

National Awards for Published Works

National Awards

Fiction Award Winner

$15,000 for a published novel or collection of short stories.

Permafrost
By SJ Norman
University of Queensland Press

"Permafrost immediately captures attention and lingers after reading in fragments, shadows, and phrases." 
~ Award Judges

In this haunting collection of sharp, sombre short stories, award-winning writer, artist, and curator SJ Norman delves into themes of isolation, loss, and yearning. Each tale immerses the reader in vivid, sensory worlds, inviting them to explore the depth of human experience.

Permafrost by SJ Norman

Fiction Award Shortlist

Non-Fiction Award Winner

$15,000 for a published non-fiction work.

Childhood
By Shannon Burns
Text Publishing

"This superbly written memoir that grabs readers from the very first pages."
~ Award Judges

This powerful debut memoir by Adelaide writer Shannon Burns vividly recounts his dysfunctional and disadvantaged upbringing in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. The book’s unflinching portrayal of trauma and social mobility offers deep insight into class and culture in South Australia.

Childhood by Shannon Burns

Non-Fiction Award Shortlist

Young Adult Fiction Award Winner

$15,000 for a published book of fiction aimed at readers aged 12 to 18 years.

Completely normal (and other lies)
By Biffy James
Hardie Grant Publishing

"Completely normal (and other lies) was unputdownable, a cracker of a read, and the unanimous winner." 
~ Award Judges

A beautifully crafted novel that speaks to the here and now of young people’s experiences in a sophisticated and layered way. Elizabeth ‘Biffy’ James insightfully explores love, grief, mental health and friendship, capturing the heartbreaking and hilarious day-to-day life of the modern teenager. 

Completely Normal (and other lies) by Biffy James

Young Adult Fiction Award Shortlist

Children’s Literature Award Winner

$15,000 for a published fiction or non-fiction book aimed at readers up to 11 years.

Scar town
By Tristan Bancks
Penguin Random House Australia

"A fresh take on the classic children’s mystery, Scar Town is a “cracking read".”
~ Award Judges

With its striking image of an abandoned house emerging from receding dam waters, this book sets the stage for a suspenseful and unpredictable mystery that will hook readers from the first page. Author Tristan Bancks works across page and screen and is an advocate for literacy through the non-profit organisation Room to Read.

Scar Town by Tristan Bancks

Children’s Literature Award Shortlist

John Bray Poetry Award Winner

$15,000 for a published collection of poetry, in honour of late South Australian poet Dr John Bray.

At the altar of touch
By Gavin Yuan Gao
University of Queensland Press

"Poised and accessible, his work navigates history and the present with remarkable maturity and elegance."
~ Award Judges

This sophisticated, impressive and rich collection of poetry unpacks the complexity of family, grief, and cross-cultural and queer identity. Gavin Yuan Gao blends the deeply personal and with Chinese history through stunning imagery and language.

At the altar of touch by Gavin Yuan Gao

John Bray Poetry Award Shortlist

Awards for South Australian Writers

South Australian Awards

Jill Blewett Playwright's Award Winner

$12,500 for an un-produced play of any genre written by a professional South Australian playwright. Supported by State Theatre Company South Australia.

Paradise lost
By Melissa-Kelly Franklin

"Gripping drama charged with emotion."
~ Award Judges

This play is an accomplished and nuanced critique of Australia’s border policy in a gripping drama charged with emotion. Born in Mparntwe, Alice Springs, Melissa-Kelly Franklin is an award-winning Greek-Australian writer and director.

Melissa-Kelly Franklin

Jill Blewett Playwright's Award Shortlist

  • Log boy by Anthony Nocera
  • Mallee ward by Michael Hill
  • The spoil by Piri Eddy
  • Safe by Nina Pearce

Arts South Australia Wakefield Press Unpublished Manuscript Award Winner

$10,000 plus publication by Wakefield Press for an unpublished, book-length manuscript by a South Australian writer.

Salt upon the water
By Lyn Dickens

"A captivating exploration of mixed-race identities, privilege, and power."
~ Award Judges

This lyrical and poetic historical fiction examines one of Australia’s founding figures in a new light. Lyn Dickens, an award-winning writer, editor, and academic, focuses on two mixed-race characters from colonised lands meeting again on the shores of the fledgling South Australian colony.

Lyn Dickens

Arts South Australia Wakefield Press Unpublished Manuscript Award Shortlist

  • Highly commended: Dear Vincent by Heather Taylor Johnson
  • Boy swimmer by Gina Inverarity
  • Catastrophic by Alastair Sarre
  • Out of place by Robin Boord
  • The tongue is a witch by Alicia Carter

Fellowships for South Australian Writers

Fellowships

Tangkanungku Pintyanthi Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship Winner

$15,000 for a South Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writer working in the genres of fiction, literary, non-fiction, poetry and playwriting.

Monologues, poems and ramblings for you, them, us… and me…
By Alexis West

"Compelling, with relatable characters and dynamics."
~ Award Judges

Alexis West, a Birra Gubba, Wakka Wakka, South Sea Islander, and Caucasian woman, brings her distinct voice to a powerful collection of poems, monologues, and scripts that tackle themes such as systemic racism, environmental issues, and childhood memories.

Alexis West

Tangkanungku Pintyanthi Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship Shortlist

  • Highly commended: A life half lived by Karen Wyld
  • Kali (boomerang) by Ali Cobby Eckermann

Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship Winner

$15,000 for a South Australian writer working in the areas of fiction, poetry, drama, scriptwriting, autobiography, essays, major histories, literary criticism or other expository or analytical prose. Named in honour of distinguished South Australian writer and visual artist Barbara Hanrahan.

Radiance: a state of being
By Molly Murn

" Highly persuasive and written beautiful, the execution of the idea compelling, and the skill and ability of the writer indisputable."
~ Award Judges

Poet and author Molly Murn’s novel explores the transformative power of art, set against a backdrop of two desert places - Australia and Morocco.

Molly Murn

Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship Shortlist

  • A life half lived by Karen Wyld
  • Queen pawn by Katerina Bryant
  • Max Fatchen Fellowship

    $15,000 for a South Australian writer for young people working in the genres of fiction, drama, poetry or screenwriting, named in honour of author Max Fatchen.

    The children of Elphinstone
    By James A Cooper

    "The manuscript has capacity to resonate with diverse audiences, creating a lasting impact for a broad spectrum of Australian readers."
    ~ Award Judges

    This historical fantasy travels in time to the Victorian goldfields of the mid-1800s. Author James A Cooper engages with historical and cultural themes, while touching on important environmental and natural history topics, as the young main characters seek to solve the central mystery.

    James A Cooper

    Max Fatchen Fellowship Shortlist

    • Maisy (working title) by Allayne Webster

    About the judges

    Thank you to all the judges for the 2024 South Australian Literary Awards.

    Premier's Award - Jessica Alice, Verity Laughton, Dr Sean Williams

    Fiction Award - Alexis Buxton-Collins, Dorothy Shorne, Emily Wilson

    Non-Fiction Award - Max Opray, Ben Stubbs, Eliza Wuttke

    Young Adult Fiction Award - Helen Dinmore, Alysha Herrmann, Audrey Menz                                         

    Children's Literature Award - Susan Betts, Tracy Glover, Greg Holfeld

    John Bray Poetry Award  - Steven Brock, Gemma Parker, Stevie Zhao

    To foster a supportive and respectful environment in our tight-knit literary community, we have chosen not to publish the judges' names for the South Australian awards and fellowships.

    Given the close relationships and interactions among community members, maintaining anonymity helps to ensure unbiased evaluations and protects the integrity of the judging process. This helps our judges to focus solely on the merit of each submission, promoting fairness for those taking part.

    Thank you for understanding our commitment to a positive atmosphere for writers and readers alike.

    Thank you to our partners

    Supporting partners

    Event partners

    Awards Archive

    Previous award winners

    Premier's Award

    National award offered from 1996

    • 2022 - The Yield, Tara June Winch (Penguin Random House)
    • 2020 - Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow, Jessica Townsend (Hachette Australia)
    • 2018 - The Last Garden by Eva Hornung (SA) (Text Publishing)
    • 2016 - Figgy in the World by Tamsin Janu (Omnibus Books)
    • 2014 - Cold Light by Frank Moorhouse (Vintage Books)
    • 2012 - That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott (Picador)
    • 2010 - Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan (Allen and Unwin)
    • 2008 - Urban Myths: 210 Poems by John Tranter (University of Queensland Press)
    • 2006 - Sixty Lights by Gail Jones (Vintage Books)
    • 2004 - Wild Surmise by Dorothy Porter (Picador)
    • 2002 - True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey (University of Queensland Press)
    • 2000 - Mr Darwin’s Shooter by Roger McDonald (Vintage Books)
    • 1998 - The Drowner by Robert Drewe (Pan MacMillan)
    • 1996 - The Future Eaters by Tim Flannery (Reed Books)

    Fiction Award

    National award offered from 1986

    • 2022 - The Yield, Tara June Winch (Penguin Random House)
    • 2020 - The Death of Noah Glass, Gail Jones (The Text Publishing Company)
    • 2018 - The Last Garden by Eva Hornung (SA) (Text Publishing)
    • 2016 - To Name Those Lost by Rohan Wilson (Allen & Unwin)
    • 2014 - Cold Light by Frank Moorhouse (Vintage Books)
    • 2012  - That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott (Picador)
    • 2010 - Ransom by David Malouf (Knopf/Random House)
    • 2008 - The Ballad of Desmond Kale by Roger McDonald (Vintage)
    • 2006 - Sixty Lights by Gail Jones (Vintage Books)
    • 2004 - Moral Hazard by Kate Jennings (Picador)
    • 2002 - True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey (University of Queensland Press)
    • 2000 - Mr Darwin’s Shooter by Roger McDonald (Vintage Books)
    • 1998 - The Drowner by Robert Drewe (Pan MacMillan)
    • 1996 - Death of a River Guide by Richard Flanagan (McPhee Gribble/Penguin)
    • 1994 - Grand Days by Frank Moorhouse (William Heinemann Australia)
    • 1992 - The Great World by David Malouf (Chatto & Windus)
    • 1990 - Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey (UQP)
    • 1988 - Julia Paradise by Rod Jones (McPhee Gribble)
    • 1986 - The Children’s Bach by Helen Garner (McPhee Gribble)

    Non-Fiction Award

    National award offered from 1986

    • 2022 - Olive Cotton: A Life of Photography, Helen Ennis (HarperCollins Publishers)
    • 2020 - The Bible in Australia: A cultural history, Meredith Lake (NewSouth Publishing)
    • 2018 - The Boy Behind the Curtain by Tim Winton (WA) (Penguin Books Australia)
    • 2016 - What Days Are For by Robert Dessaix (Random House Australia)
    • 2014 - Madness: A Memoir by Kate Richards (Viking/Penguin)
    • 2012 - An Eye for Eternity: The Life of Manning Clark by Mark McKenna (The Miegunyah Press)
    • 2010 - Stella Miles Franklin by Jill Roe (Fourth Estate/Harper Collins)
    • 2008 - Sunrise West by Jacob G Rosenberg (Brandl & Schlesinger)
    • 2006 - Velocity by Mandy Sayer (Vintage)
    • 2004 - Unearthed: The Aboriginal Tasmanians of Kangaroo Island by Rebe Taylor (Wakefield Press)
    • 2002 - Leviathan: the unauthorised biography of Sydney by John Birmingham (Random House)
    • 2000 - Joint winners:Throwim Way Leg: An Adventure by Tim Flannery (Text Publishing Company)The Devil and James McAuley by Cassandra Pybus (University of  Queensland Press)
    • 1998 - Claiming a Continent: A History of Australia by David Day (HarperCollins)
    • 1996 - The Future Eaters by Tim Flannery (Reed Books)
    • 1994 - Sort of a Place Like Home: Remembering the Moore River Native Settlement by Susan Maushart (Fremantle Arts Centre Press)
    • 1992 - Patrick White – A Life by David Marr (Random House Australia)
    • 1990 - Satura by John Bray (Wakefield Press)
    • 1988 - The Myriad Faces of War by Trevor Wilson (Polity/Blackwells)
    • 1986 - A History of Prince Alfred College by R M Gibbs (Peacock Publications)

    Children's Literature Award

    National award offered from 1986

    • 2022 - We are Wolves, Katrina Nannestad (HarperCollins Publishers)
    • 2020 - Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow, Jessica Townsend (Hachette Australia)
    • 2018 - Dragonfly Song by Wendy Orr (NSW) (Allen & Unwin)
    • 2012  - Taj and the Great Camel Trek by Rosanne Hawke (University of Queensland)
    • 2010 - Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan (Allen and Unwin)
    • 2008 - Don't Call Me Ishmael! by Michael Gerard Bauer (Omnibus Scholastic)
    • 2006 - It’s Not All About You, Calma! by Barry Jonsberg (Allen and Unwin)
    • 2004 - Abyssinia by Ursula Dubosarsky (Viking Penguin)
    • 2002 - Lirael by Garth Nix (Harper Collins)
    • 2000 - Deadly, Unna? by Phillip Gwynne (Puffin Penguin)
    • 1998 - The Listmaker by Robin Klein (Viking Penguin)
    • 1996 - The Third Day, The Frost by John Marsden (Pan MacMillan Australia)
    • 1994 - Angel’s Gate by Gary Crew (William Heinemann Australia)
    • 1992 - The House Guest by Eleanor Nilsson (Viking Penguin)
    • 1990 - Beyond the Labyrinth by Gillian Rubinstein (Hyland House)
    • 1988 - Space Demons by Gillian Rubinstein (Omnibus Books)
    • 1986 - The Long Night Watch by Ivan Southall (Methuen)

    Young Adult Fiction Award

    National award offered from 2012

    • 2022 - The Gaps, Leanne Hall (Text Publishing)
    • 2020 - Small Spaces, Sarah Epstein (Walker Books Australia)
    • 2018 - My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier (NSW) (Allen & Unwin)
    • 2016 - Are You Seeing Me? by Darren Groth (Random House Australia)
    • 2014 - Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield (Text Publishing)
    • 2012 - All I Ever Wanted by Vikki Wakefield (Text Publishing)

    John Bray Poetry Award

    National award offered from 1986

    • 2022 - Fifteeners, Jodie Albiston (Puncher & Wattmann)
    • 2020 - Archival-Poetics, Natalie Harkin (Vagabond Press)
    • 2018 - Missing up by Pam Brown (NSW) (Vagabond Press)
    • 2016 - Waiting for the Past by Les Murray (Black Inc.)
    • 2014 - The Sunlit Zone by Lisa Jacobson (5 Islands Press)
    • 2012 - Taller When Prone by Les Murray (Black Inc.)
    • 2010 - The Other Way Out by Bronwyn Lea (Giramondo poets)
    • 2008 - Urban Myths: 210 Poems by John Tranter (University of Queensland Press)
    • 2006 - Totem by Luke Davies (Allen Unwin)
    • 2004 - Wild Surmise by Dorothy Porter (Picador)
    • 2002 - Around Here by Cath Kenneally (Wakefield Press)
    • 2000 - The Harbour by Dimitris Tsaloumas (UQP)
    • 1998 - The Blue Cloud of Crying by Peter Boyle (Hale & Ironmonger)
    • 1996 - The Silo: A Pastoral Symphony by John Kinsella (Fremantle Arts Centre Press)
    • 1994 - Between Glances by Andrew Lansdown (Fremantle Arts Centre Press)
    • 1992 - Last Poems by Vincent Buckley (McPhee Gribble)
    • 1990 - Bone Scan by Gwen Harwood (Angus & Robertson)
    • 1988 - The Daylight Moon by Les A Murray (Angus & Robertson)
    • 1986 - Selected Poems - 1963–1983 by Robert Gray (Angus & Robertson)

    Jill Blewett Playwright's Award

    South Australian award offered from 1992

    • 2022 - Calendar Days, Peter Beaglehole 
    • 2020 - Forgiveness, Piri Eddy
    • 2018 - 19 weeks by Emily Steel
    • 2016 - Cut by Duncan Graham AND Blessed by Fleur Kilpatrick (joint winners)
    • 2014 - Replay by Philip Kavanagh
    • 2012 - A Cathedral by Nicki Bloom
    • 2010 - This Place by Nina Pearce
    • 2008 - Merger - art, life and the other thing by Duncan Graham
    • 2006 - This Uncharted Hour by Finegan Kruckemeyer
    • 2004 - Beautiful Words: A Trilogy by Sean Riley
    • 2002 - Small Faith by Josh Tyler
    • 2000 - Who’s Afraid of the Working Class? by Andrew Bovell, Patricia Cornelius, Melissa Reeves & Christos Tsiolkas
    • 1998 - Wolf Lullaby by Hilary Bell
    • 1996 - Because You Are Mine by Daniel Keene
    • 1994 - Sweetown by Melissa Reeves
    • 1992 - Bran Nue Dae by Jimmy Chi 

    Arts South Australia Wakefield Press Unpublished Manuscript Award

    South Australian award offered from 1998

    • 2022 - The Comforting Weight of Water, Roanna McClelland
    • 2020 - In the Room with the She Wolf, Jelena Dinic
    • 2018 - A New Name for the Colour Blue by Annette Marner
    • 2016 - Mallee Boys by Charlie Archbold
    • 2014 - Here Where We Live by Cassie Flanagan-Willanski
    • 2012 - The First Week by Margaret Merilees
    • 2010 - End of the Night Girl by Amy T Matthews
    • 2008 - The Second Fouling Mark by Stephen Orr
    • 2006 - The Quakers by Rachel Hennessy
    • 2004 - Goddamn Bus of Happiness by Stefan Laszczuk
    • 2002 - The Black Dream by Corrie Hosking
    • 2000 - No winner
    • 1998 - Counting The Rivers by Pearlie McNeil

    Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship

    South Australian award offered from 1994

    • 2022 - Rachael Mead
    • 2020 - Aidan Coleman
    • 2018 - Jude Aquilina
    • 2016 - Carol Lefevre
    • 2014 - Jennifer Mills
    • 2012 - Nicki Bloom
    • 2010 - Patrick Allington
    • 2008 - Steve Evans
    • 2006 - Mike Ladd
    • 2004 - Kirsty Brooks
    • 2002 - Graham Rowlands
    • 2000 - Jan Owen
    • 1998 - Cath Kenneally
    • 1996 - Moya Costello
    • 1994 - Barry Westburg

    Max Fatchen Fellowship

    South Australian award offered from 1988

    • 2022 - Poppy Nwosu
    • 2020 - Sally Heinrich
    • 2018 - Danielle Clode
    • 2016 - Marianne Musgrove
    • 2014 - Helen Dinmore
    • 2012 - Janeen Brian
    • 2010 - Nicole Plüss
    • 2008 - Rosanne Hawke
    • 2006 - Christine Harris
    • 2004 - Marguerite Hann-Syme
    • 2002 - Ruth Starke
    • 2000 - Ian Bone
    • 1998 - Phil Cummings
    • 1996 - Chris Tugwell
    • 1994 - Peter McFarlane
    • 1992 - Anne Brookman
    • 1990 - Anne-Marie Mykyta
    • 1988 - Geoff Goodfellow

    Tangkanungku Pintyanthi Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship

    South Australian award offered from 2014

    • 2022 - Kare Wyld for Lovely's Valley
    • 2020 - no applications received
    • 2018 - Edoardo Crismani
    • 2016 - Ali Cobby Eckermann for Too Afraid to Cry
    • 2014 - Ali Cobby Eckermann for Hopes Crossing

    The Mayne Award for multi-media - formerly the Faulding Award for Multimedia

    Award offered from 1998 to 2004

    • 2004 - Concatenation by Geniwate
    • 2002 - Poems in a Flash @ The Stalking Tongue website Jayne Fenton Keane and David Keane
    • 2000 - Carrier by Melinda Rackham
    • 1998 - FlightPaths: Writing Journeys by Julie Clarke, Rob Finlayson, Tom Gibson, Denise Higgins, Berni M Janssen, Nazid Kimmie and Adrian Marshall

    Innovation Award

    Award offered from 2004 to 2010

    • 2010 - Barley Patch by Gerald Murnane (Giramondo)
    • 2008 - Someone Else: Fictional Essays by John Hughes (Giramondo)
    • 2006 - <More or Less> 1-100 by MTC Cronin (Shearsman Books)
    • 2004 - The Eastern Slope Chronicle by Ouyang Yu (Brandl and Schlesinger)

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