It’s time to don your glitz and glamour for this year’s Australian Book Industry Awards.
The awards celebrate the achievements of authors and publishers bringing Australian books to readers and are now in their 24th year! There will be 22 awards announced on the night, including the Book Awards. The winners are reviewed and selected by a judging panel of industry professionals. The shortlists for each award category are out and the winners will be announced 9 May.
We made each shortlist into booklists for you so you can Click & Collect easily.
Click on the category headings to view the list and add to your To-Read List!
General Fiction Book of the Year
- This is an award for fiction with mass appeal, written by an Australian author which sold well in Australia.
- Previous Winner: Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor
General Non-fiction Book of the Year
- This is an award for non-fiction with mass appeal, written by an Australian author which sold well in Australia.
- Previous Winner: Bulldozed by Niki Savva
- This is an award for an audiobook with high quality production values and broad appeal, written by an Australian author in any genre, though not necessarily narrated by an Australian. It will have sold well across the Australian marketplace.
- Previous Winner: The Whitewash by Siang Lu
- This is an award for outstanding literary fiction with broad appeal, written by an Australian author. It will have been well reviewed, sold well in Australia and has been a candidate for literary awards.
- Previous Winner: Horse By Geraldine Brooks
- This is an award for an illustrated book with high production values and broad appeal, written by an Australian author, which showcases innovative design. It will have sold well in Australia.
- Previous Winner: Dinner by Nagi Maehashi
- This is an award for a high-quality biography or autobiography with broad appeal, written by an Australian author, which sold well in Australia.
- Previous Winner: My Dream Time by Ash Barty
CHILDREN'S BOOKS (link to combined list)
Picture Book of the Year (ages 0-6)
- This is an award for a children’s picture book popular with children aged 0–6, written and illustrated by Australians, which sold well in Australia.
- Previous Winner: What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say by Davina Bell and Hilary Jean Tapper
Book of the Year for Younger Children (ages 7-12)
- This is an award for a children’s book popular with children aged 7-12, written and illustrated by Australians, which sold well in Australia.
- Previous Winner: Runt by Craig Silvey
Book of the Year for Older Children (ages 13+)
- This is an award for a children’s book popular with children aged 13+, written and illustrated by Australians, which sold well in Australia.
- Previous Winner: The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni
The Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year
- This award acknowledges new Australian writing and is awarded to a book by a debut Australian author, of any genre. It will have been well received and sold well in Australia.
- Previous Winner: Wake by Shelley Burr
Small Publishers Adult Book of the Year
- This is an award for outstanding adult fiction or non-fiction, with broad appeal, written by an Australian author and published by a small publisher. It will have been popular and sold well, along with being a candidate for literary awards.
- Previous Winner: The Dreaming Path by Paul Callaghan
Small Publishers Children Book of the Year
- This is an award for a children’s or young adult book, with broad appeal, written by an Australian author, and illustrated by an Australian artist(s) (if applicable), and published by a small publisher. It will have been popular and sold well, along with being a candidate for literary awards.
- Previous Winner: Off to the Market by Alice Oehr
International Book of the Year
- This is an award for fiction, non-fiction, illustrated, children’s books etc with broad appeal, written by an author who is NOT Australian, which sold well in Australia.
- Previous Winner: Lesson in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Social Impact Book of the Year
- This is an award for an adult or children’s book of popular fiction or nonfiction that created news/debate/buzz in Australian media, social and political arenas. Ideally the book sold well, and led to social and institutional change, and raised awareness of underrepresented issues.
- Previous Winner: The Boy from Boomerang Crescent by Eddie Betts
Book of the Year
- This award is chosen from the top book in each category by the judges, excluding the International Book of the Year and Audiobook of the Year.
- Previous Winner: Dinner by Nagi Maehashi