The Stella Prize

The Stella Prize Stella is a major voice for gender equity and cultural change in Australian literature.

Stella drives significant cultural change by elevating the work of Australian women writers – cis, trans, and non-binary inclusive. We promote greater access to, and participation in, the world of books and writing to combat gender bias in society. Founded in 2012, the organisation’s flagship program is the Stella Prize – an annual literary award celebrating Australian women’s writing. Stella also

seeks to influence the national conversation around gender equality in Australian literature through our range of research, advocacy, and education programs.

General entries for the 2027 Stella Prize are open until 5pm (AEST), Sunday 4 October 2026. All you need to know about e...
03/09/2026

General entries for the 2027 Stella Prize are open until 5pm (AEST), Sunday 4 October 2026. All you need to know about eligibility, guidelines and how to enter can be found on our website: stella.org.au/eligibility-and-guidelines/

If you have any other questions about entering, please reach out!

We're so excited by the entries received so far and can't wait to see what else is in store 👀

Voting is open for ABC Radio National's Top 100 Australian Books Countdown. We think all Stella-listed books deserve a s...
01/09/2026

Voting is open for ABC Radio National's Top 100 Australian Books Countdown. We think all Stella-listed books deserve a spot!

Vote for your favourite Aussie books before October 1. Let us know what books by women and non-binary writers you think will make the count.

Announcing the next stop on our Stella Day Out 2026 regional program: Ruffy.We're very excited to se you at Ruffy Hall o...
30/08/2026

Announcing the next stop on our Stella Day Out 2026 regional program: Ruffy.

We're very excited to se you at Ruffy Hall on 31 October to hear from incredible Stella-listed authors Edwina Preston and Louisa Lim.

Tickets are free but bookings are essential – tickets here: stella.org.au/ruffy/

Local bookseller Ink Bookshop will be selling books on the day, which Edwina and Louisa can sign 📚

Thank you NAB Foundation for supporting our festival series in regional communities effected by natural disasters through the Community Grants Program.

We’re very excited to announce Julia Gillard as Stella’s new Australian Ambassador.Though she likely needs no introducti...
27/08/2026

We’re very excited to announce Julia Gillard as Stella’s new Australian Ambassador.

Though she likely needs no introduction, Julia was the 27th Prime Minister of Australia and the first, and only, woman to serve in that role. Since then she has dedicated her time to advocacy, governance roles, and writing.

Julia wrote My Story, a memoir based on her experience as Prime Minister. Her second book, Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons, co‑authored by Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, explores the challenges women face in leadership. Her third book, Not Now, Not Ever – 10 years on from the misogyny speech, was released in October 2022. She is also the host of A Podcast of One's Own, which shines a light on women doing amazing work around the world to advance gender equality and promote equal access to leadership.

Stella helps break barriers and change the narrative for women and non-binary people – just as Julia has committed to throughout her career.

Thank you so much Julia for your support.

25/08/2026

Congratulations to the multi-award-winning Filipina-Australian poet Eunice Andrada , author of ‘KONTRA', published by Giramondo Publishing , shortlisted for Poetry in the 2026 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards 🎉

Our judges said: “'KONTRA' moves skilfully between realist and symbolic registers, wielding the language of historic judgement, disobedience and vengeance in the name of righteous love: 'Unveiled and unclouded/may my wrongs create'”

Winners will be announced on Thursday 10 September at the National Library of Australia in Canberra. Stay tuned!

Learn more👉🏽 https://brnw.ch/21x5bi1

Some throwback photos from our Stella UK tour in June! We had the best time with Stella-listed authors Emily Maguire and...
25/08/2026

Some throwback photos from our Stella UK tour in June! We had the best time with Stella-listed authors Emily Maguire and Kate Mildenhall, and seeing their books in the wild.

Thank you so much Creative Australia for helping us make this trip possible.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.

SYDNEY secondary teachers and students are invited to Stella’s FREE Schools’ Program on Tuesday 10 November.These sessio...
24/08/2026

SYDNEY secondary teachers and students are invited to Stella’s FREE Schools’ Program on Tuesday 10 November.

These sessions offer a unique opportunity to hear directly from three Stellalisted authors: Mandy Ord, Santilla Chingaipe and Jumanna Abdu, in conversation with Sophie Gee, Michaela Kalowski and Rawah Arja.

Featuring:
⭐ FREE book packs, teaching resources and show bags
⭐ conversations that spark curiosity, creativity and critical thinking
⭐ insights into writing and related careers and pathways
⭐ open forums for students to ask questions and engage in discussion

Spots are limited - register now: https://events.humanitix.com/stella-schools-story-sessions-sydney

This program is proudly supported by the Hansen Little Foundation, Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM and Family, James N. Kirby Foundation, and presented in partnership with The University of Sydney.

Did you know August is Women in Translation Month (WIT)?WIT is a global effort centred on the idea that women who write ...
21/08/2026

Did you know August is Women in Translation Month (WIT)?

WIT is a global effort centred on the idea that women who write in languages other than English deserve to be widely read and appreciated. Two incredible Stella-listed novels fit the bill.

Shokoofeh Azar's The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree (Wild Dingo Press), originally written in Persian, is a lyrical magic realism story set in Iran in the period immediately after the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Sanya Rushdi's Hospital (Giramondo Publishing), originally written in Bengali, portrays a research student's experience of psychosis and its treatments, while struggling more broadly with the definition of sanity in our society.

If you're looking for a thought-provoking read to see you through the rest of the month, give these books a go 💭

Don't sleep on our early-bird rate!You have five days left to submit your 2027 Stella Prize entry at $73. After 5pm on S...
19/08/2026

Don't sleep on our early-bird rate!

You have five days left to submit your 2027 Stella Prize entry at $73. After 5pm on Sunday 23 August, our regular fee of $94 applies.

Entry form here: stella.org.au/entry-form-2027/

Stella Day Out is returning to Aireys Inlet in 2026!Join us on Saturday 24 October for a day of writing inspiration with...
18/08/2026

Stella Day Out is returning to Aireys Inlet in 2026!

Join us on Saturday 24 October for a day of writing inspiration with Stella-listed authors Sofie Laguna and Micaela Sahhar, as they discuss their craft with moderators Kate MacNeill and Amanda Smith.

Bookings are essential – more information and tickets link here: stella.org.au/aireys-inlet/

Hosted at the Aireys Inlet Community Centre, this event is supported by the Surf Coast Shire Council and the Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation. Great Escape Books will be selling books on the day.

We can't wait to see you there 💚

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