By arts editor Helen Musa

Seven books have been shortlisted for the 2026 ACT Book of the Year Award, it has been announced by ACT Arts Minister, Michael Pettersson.

The Award is the Territory’s premier literary award, aimed at supporting ACT-based writers and recognising outstanding fiction, non-fiction and poetry published in the previous calendar year by authors who live in the ACT or can demonstrate a substantial ACT-based arts practice.

This year’s lineup features poetry, fiction, non-fiction, history and a play.

The $10,000 prize and winner will be announced at a special event during the coming Canberra Writers Festival.

The minister, in congratulating the shortlisted authors, urged, “Let this be a reminder to everyone in our community to try reading something local.”

The $10,000 prize and winner of the 2026 ACT Book of the Year Award will be announced at the National Library of Australia on October 16. Bookings here.

The 2026 ACT Book of the Year shortlist is:

• Little Bones by Sandy Bigna, a tender and poetic work that explores loss with enduring resonance
• In the Name of the Trees by Merlinda Bobis, a richly layered and deeply moving novel exploring memory, heritage and resilience
• Playtime: A History of Australian Childhood by Emily Gallagher, an insightful exploration of Australian history through the lens of childhood
• Fire in the Head by Daniel Oakman, a powerful novel examining trauma, resilience and justice
• Clever Men by Martin Thomas, a masterfully written act of truth-telling that challenges established narratives
• 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.

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