Most Underrated Book Award 2019 shortlist announced

7 August 2019 Books+Publishing

The Small Press Network (SPN) has announced the shortlist for the 2019 Most Underrated Book Award (MUBA).

The shortlisted titles are:

Brontide (Sue McPherson, Magabala)
Antidote to a Curse (James Cristina, Transit Lounge)
Songwoman (Ilka Tampke, Text).

Now in its eighth year, MUBA aims to ‘uncover and celebrate the hidden gems of Australian publishing’.

Judges Melissa Cranenburgh, Jane Rawson and Jackie Tang praised the entries for their range of vibrant and contrasting voices and genres. ‘It is often small presses who take risks and the results—evident in this year’s shortlist—are richly rewarding and worthwhile reads,’ the judges said.

The winner will be announced in Melbourne on 21 November during SPN’s Independent Publishing Conference.

Last year’s MUBA winner was Living in Hope (Frank Byrne with Gerard Waterford & Francis Coughlan, Ptilotus Press), a memoir by a member of the Stolen Generations who passed away in 2017 after finishing the book.

Category: Awards Local news