The Stella Prize have announced their 2025 shortlist

WORDS Kirsty Thatcher PUBLISHED Tue, 8 Apr 2025 - 8:31 am

In need of a new read? The 2025 Stella Prize might have just the thing. Now in its thirteenth year, the Stella Prize continues to stand as one of the most influential accolades in Australian literature, championing the voices of women and non-binary authors. This year, the shortlist marks a historic milestone, featuring only women of colour for the first time in the prize's history. With six exceptional works—three non-fiction and three fiction—selected by the 2025 judging panel, the list showcases an extraordinary range of voices and perspectives.

The 2025 shortlist is a testament to the integrity, compassion, and fearless creativity of these authors, and it underscores the continuing importance of the Stella Prize in amplifying diverse literary voices. As the prize grows in influence and reach, it remains a pivotal platform for the narratives that shape Australia’s literary landscape.

Below, get aquainted with the 2025 Stella Prize shortlist.

Who is on the 2025 Stella Prize shortlist?

The books on the 2025 Stella Prize shortlist are:

Black Convicts by Santilla Chingaipe (non-fiction)
Black Witness by Amy McQuire (non-fiction)
Cactus Pear For My Beloved by Samah Sabawi (non-fiction)
The Burrow by Melanie Cheng (fiction)
Theory & Practice by Michelle de Kretser (fiction)
Translations by Jumaana Abdu (fiction)

Who are the 2025 Stella Prize judges?

This year, the judging panel is made up of Astrid Edwards (Chair), Debra Dank, Leah Jing McIntosh, Yassmin Abdel-Magied, and Rick Morton.

When will the 2025 winner be announced?

The 2024 Stella Prize winner will be announced on Friday 23 May, as part of the Sydney Writers Festival at Carriageworks. For the first time in Stella Prize history, members of the public can join the judges on this monumental night, to honour the incredible talent of this year’s longlisted, shortlisted and winning authors. Tickets are available here.

How does the Stella Prize work?

The Stella Prize t celebrates the work of Australian women and non-binary authors, encompassing all genres, from fiction and non-fiction to poetry and graphic novels. To be eligible, books must have been published within the previous calendar year (for example, the 2025 prize is open to books released between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024).