2026 Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards Shortlist

22 July

Written By I.D.

The State Library of Western Australia has annouced the 2026 Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards Shortlists.

Fantastical worlds, grim underbellies and stories of place and identity make up this year’s shortlist, which reflects the richness and complexity of Western Australian storytelling.

More than 30 published authors have been recognised across six categories, including past winners and finalists, recipients of national awards and new, emerging voices.

The Shortlists:

Fiction Book of the Year

Chance and Necessity by Rosanne Dingli
When She Was Gone by Sara Foster
King of Dirt by Holden Sheppard
I Am Nannertgarrook by Tasma Walton
O’Keefe by David Whish-Wilson

Non-Fiction Book of the Year

My FIGHT with PD: A Neurologist with Parkinson's Disease by David Blacker
No Time for Makeup: The Life of a Flying Doctor and Paediatrician by Dr Elizabeth Green
How Not to Become a Grumpy Old Bugger by Geoff Hutchison
The Shameful Isles by David Price
Tjukurrpa Kurranyu: Tjukurrpa in the Front by Jan Turner and Lizzie Marrkilyi Giles Ellis

Emerging Writer of the Year

CryBaby by Mabel Gibson
Nock Loose by Patrick Marlborough
The Montegiallo School of Swearing by Andrew HC McDonald
Inner Demons by Stephen B. Platt
Geraldine by Andrea Thompson

Children's Book of the Year

Creature Clinic by Gavin Aung Than
Everglade 1: Rise of the Witch by Kitty Black
Bigfoot vs Yeti by James Foley
One Day by Shirley Marr and Michael Speechley
The Surface Trials by H.M. Waugh

Young Adult Book of the Year

Made of Steam and Stardust by Bianca Breen
A New World Rises: Tales of a LEGO® Future by Cristy Burne, Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler
A Murder is Going Down by Kate Emery
Trapped! by Julia Lawrinson
The Dreams of Summer Dartson by Peter Purchase

Poetry Book of the Year