NT Book Awards 2026 shortlists announced

The shortlists for the NT Book Awards have been announced.

Shortlisted titles in each category are:

Fiction

• Moonlight and Dust (Jasmin McGaughey, Allen & Unwin Children’s)
• A Piece of Red Cloth (Leonie Norrington, Djawundil Maymuru, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs & Djawa Burarrwanga, Allen & Unwin).

Nonfiction

• Keep Him My Heart: A Larrakia-Filipino Love Story (Gary Lee, Dishevel Books)
• High Fire Danger (Emma Trenorden, Walleah Press)
• The Art of Kaylene Whiskey: Do You Believe in Love? (Kaylene Whiskey, Natalie King & Iwantja Arts, Thames & Hudson).

Children’s/YA

• Gulun’ (Children at Yirrkala School, Indigenous Literacy Foundation)
• Raymaŋgirrbuy dhäwu When I was a little girl (Kylie Gatjawarrawuy Mununggurr, Magabala Books)
• The Wobbly Bike (Darren McCallum, Walker Books).

Highly commended:

• On the Way to Yalaŋbara (Rärriwuy Gurramu Marika, illustrated by Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, Indigenous Literacy Foundation).

The NT Book Awards recognise writers who “reflect the immense richness and importance of the stories, cultures, and histories of the NT”.

This year’s judging panel, Maree Yoelu, Kate Cuthbert and Leni Shilton, said: “What a joy it has been to read for these awards: the inclusivity and diversity of the books, the passion and talent of their writers.

“From science fiction to romantasy, poetry to plays, the entries cover an astonishing breadth and depth of story, and an enticing insight into what and who the Northern Territory is. This could not be more evident than through the large number of books that are written in, or included Indigenous languages; a unique reflection of the Territory’s cultural and linguistically diverse landscape.”

Winners will receive a $10,000 Arts NT Fellowship and shortlisted writers receive $1,000. The winners will be announced on 23 September at the NT Writing Awards, an event combining the winner announcements for the NT History Book Award, the NT Literary Awards and the NT Book Awards, to be held in Garramilla/Darwin and Mparntwe/Alice Springs, and live streamed.

More information about the NT Book Awards is available on the Northern Territory Writers Centre website.

Category: Awards Local news