The Stella Prize

An exceptionally powerful, funny and profound in conversation between and 2026 Prize judge at our Brisbane Special event 🌟

There were a lot of firsts for the Stella Prize in Brisbane – including the first ever graphic novel to win the Prize 🥇 We hope you have enjoyed getting to know the incredible Lee Lai and her book Cannon .

If you still havn't gotten your copy, RUN to your local bookstore 📚💨

Photo credit: Steve Minon

Stella Schools: Story Sessions saw two incredible Stellalisted authors, Lee Lai (2026 Winner) and Kris Kneen (2018 Shortlister) speak to a room full of year 9-12s from across Brisbane!

We talked all things creative writing - from how to write a book, and build confidence, to the importance of representation, identities and bodies in writing. Teens and teachers left inspired to write more and read more stories by women and non-binary authors 📚💫

The day was facilitated by Stella Prize judges Sophie Gee (Chair) and Benjamin Law. You can watch these sessions as they happened on our YouTube – or host your own screening in your classroom 📹

Thank you to our education sponsors for this initiative – Hansen Little Foundation, Krystyna Campbell-Pretty and Family, and to , , , and for feeding our theatre of teens.

Keep an eye on this space – we will be bringing another Stella Schools: Story Sessions to you in the second half of 2026 👀

On May 13th in Brisbane at the heritage Old Museum, Stella celebrated and announced our 2026 Stella Prize winner: Cannon by Lee Lai, published by Giramondo Publishing 🏆💫

Thank you to the writers, readers, publishers, judges, our dedicated supporters and friends who joined us in person and online to honour exceptional literature and storytelling ❤️ We will continue to celebrate the entire 2026 Stella Prize Longlist and the authors whose stories inspired us!

We were joined by Aunty Kathy for a moving Welcome to Country, with awards presented by Dame Quentin Bryce and hosted by Suzy Wilson.

You can watch the full event on our YouTube, and listen to speeches by Stella’s Chair of Judges Sophie Gee, Stella’s board Chair Megan McCracken, Anthea Dimitrakopoulos of Quest Apartment Hotels, and Stella’s CEO and Executive Director Fiona Sweet.


.australia

On May 13th in Brisbane, Stella celebrated and announced our 2026 Stella Prize winner: Cannon by , published by 🏆💫

Next stop Liverpool ✨ June 12

Books influence culture, how we see the world and deserve diverse voices at the centre. Without equal representation and recognition for women writers, our stories and perspectives are diminished.

Join and , as they discuss literature, Australian stories and the impact of literary prizes. Moderated by Simon Savidge , England’s own bibliophile and broadcaster, with introductions from Ian Skillicorn (Smithdown Litfest) and Fiona Sweet (Stella Prize).

Presented by , this is a unique chance to hear two of Australia's exciting authors in conversation in Liverpool 💚

australia

✨ Two powerful Women’s Prizes are joining forces. Stella is travelling to London to the Women’s Prize LIVE 2026 ✨

The ultimate day festival for readers and writers returns on June 11 - bringing together the most engaging conversations, captivating books and very best names in women’s writing 💚

Stella’s own and are featuring in this incredible event!

The full programme is in our bio. Please spread the word to any London book lovers and help support Australian literature on the world stage 🌏📖

.australia

🇬🇧 UK – Stella is coming your way!

We are thrilled to announce we are touring two Stellalisted writers this June:
✨ Emily Maguire (Rapture)
✨ Kate Mildenhall (The Hummingbird Effect)

You can join us in London and Liverpool at the Women’s Prize LIVE 2026 and a special event with Liverpool John Moores University 📚

We want to share exceptional Australian literature, and want more readers globally to recognise the excellent, original and engaging books that come from women and non-binary writers in this country.

Thank you to Creative Australia’s International Travel Fund and Quest Apartment Hotels for supporting this tour.

.australia

One the eve of The Stella Prize announcement, KYD content creator Sohani Goonetillake checked in with the surprised, slightly scared and incredibly talented winner, the graphic novelist Lee Lai. Read the interview in full in KYD magazine:
https://buff.ly/EJEQJbb