Nominations for the 2026 ACT Book of the Year closed on 31 March 2026.
ACT Book of the Year Award
The ACT Government offers an ACT Book of the Year Award for excellence in literature, valued at $10,000 for the winner, $2,000 for any highly commended book and $1,000 for each shortlisted book. The Award aims to support the development of ACT-based writers, promotes writing in the ACT, and contributes to a positive writing culture for the ACT. The ACT Book of the Year Award recognises quality contemporary literary works including fiction, non-fiction and poetry by ACT-based authors published in the previous calendar year. The ACT Book of the Year Award is for books written by authors who reside in the ACT or can specifically and strongly demonstrate an ACT-based arts practice.
Books are considered by an independent judging panel, which recommends a shortlist and winning author to the Minister for Business, Arts and Creative Industries. Previous literary contributions by the author may be taken into consideration during the judging process. All decisions are final and no discussion or correspondence will be entered into regarding the judging process. The ACT Government reserves the right not to accept a nomination.
2026 ACT Book of the Year Shortlist
Seven books have been shortlisted for the 2026 ACT Book of the Year Award, recognising some of the Territory's most talented authors and celebrating the outstanding literary work being produced in Canberra.
- Clever Men by Martin Thomas, a masterfully written act of truth-telling that challenges established narratives
- Fire in the Head by Daniel Oakman, a powerful novel examining trauma, resilience and justice
- In the Name of the Trees by Merlinda Bobis, a richly layered and deeply moving novel exploring memory, heritage and resilience
- Little Bones by Sandy Bigna, a tender and poetic work that explores loss with enduring resonance
- Playtime: A History of Australian Childhood by Emily Gallagher, an insightful exploration of Australian history through the lens of childhood
- The Chosen Vessel by Dylan Van Den Berg, a bold First Nations play that reimagines a classic Australian story
- When Sleeping Women Wake by Emma Pei Yin, an ambitious historical novel exploring identity, resilience and survival.
The winner of the 2026 ACT Book of the Year Award will be announced at a special event as part of the Canberra Writers Festival at the National Library of Australia on Friday, 16 October 2026. Tickets are available through the Canberra Writers Festival website.
Previous winning nominations to the ACT Book of the Year Award (page hosted by Libraries ACT).
Book of the Year Award - Conditions of entry
Nominations must meet the ACT Book of the Year Award eligibility requirements and the Conditions of Entry listed below.
- Nominations will only be accepted from the author or their publisher.
- The nominated book must have been published in English for the first time in the previous year, between 1 January and 31 December 2025 (the publication date is taken as the date printed in the book).
- The nominated book must have been written by an author who resides in the ACT or can strongly demonstrate a current ACT-based arts practice.
- Only one book per author may be nominated.
- For co-authored books, at least one author must reside in the ACT. All authors must agree to the nomination.
- Only the co-author/s who reside in or have a connection to Canberra are eligible to receive any award.
- The following books will not be considered: anthologies, military studies, photography books, instruction manuals, university theses, bibliographies, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, professional reference titles, guide books, catalogues, personal growth books, lifestyle or hobby books, educational text books and books entirely generated by AI.
- Young Adult and Children’s books are eligible for nomination.
- E-books and books primarily published electronically are eligible as long as they are also available in PDF format to provide to judges.
- The nomination form must be submitted online through SmartyGrants before the deadline.
- Four copies of the nominated title need to be supplied to artsACT.
- If you send the books by post, they must be postmarked on or before the closing date.
- Postal address:
ATTN: artsACT
GPO Box 158
CANBERRA ACT 2601 - If delivering in person at 220 London Circuit, Canberra, please contact artsACT on (02) 6207 2384 or email artsACT@act.gov.au in advance to arrange a delivery time.
- artsACT will determine eligibility but may seek the advice of the judging panel or clarification from the nominator. The decision of artsACT is final.
- Copies of nominated books received will be donated to Libraries ACT. Books will not be returned to the author or publisher.
- Copies of the shortlisted and winning books will be used to promote the Award and the authors.
- If an event is held to announce the shortlisted and winning books, the shortlisted authors may be invited to attend.
For further information on the ACT Book of the Year Award, please contact artsACT on (02) 6207 2384 or email artsACT@act.gov.au