The shortlist for the 2026 NT Book Awards has just been announced, recognising eight books spanning three categories – fiction, non-fiction, and children’s and young adult writing – with judges praising the diversity of stories, languages and perspectives represented in this year’s entries.
Established in 2009, the NT Book Awards celebrate excellence and originality in writing from the Northern Territory, with the shortlisted books reflecting the Territory’s distinctive people, places, cultures and histories.
This year’s judging panel, comprising Maree Yoelu, Kate Cuthbert and Leni Shilton, said the entries demonstrated an ‘astonishing breadth and depth of story’ ranging from science fiction and romantasy to poetry and plays.
The judges also highlighted the large number of books written in, or incorporating, Indigenous languages, describing this as a unique reflection of the Northern Territory’s cultural and linguistic diversity.
2026 NT Book Awards shortlist – quick links
Introducing the NT Writing Awards
The category winners will be announced on 23 September at the NT Writing Awards, a new event on the Northern Territory’s literary calendar bringing together the NT History Book Awards and NT Literary Awards for the first time. Celebrations will take place in Garramilla/Darwin and Mparntwe/Alice Springs, with the event also livestreamed.
Each category winner will receive a $10,000 Arts NT Fellowship to further develop their skills, talents and new works, while shortlisted writers will receive $1000.
Previous NT Book Award winners include Mary Anne Butler for Broken, Kieran Finnane for Peace Crimes, Marie Munkara for Every Secret Thing, Dani Powell for Return to Dust, Tjanpi Desert Weavers for Tangki Tjuta, Linda Wells for Living in Tin and Ciella Williams for Hush.
Here’s the full shortlist for the 2026 NT Book Awards.
Fiction
The judges describe the fiction shortlist as demonstrating the depth and quality of storytelling coming out of the Northern Territory, with books that bring ‘unforgettable characters to life in vibrant settings’ while telling stories that are both universal and personal.
Moonlight and Dust
by Jasmin McGaughey (Allen & Unwin)
An engaging and fast-paced novel that combines magic and mystery with a teenage perspective on community, belonging, friendship and first love. The judges praised Jasmin McGaughey’s writing as authentic, grounded and beautifully crafted.
A Piece of Red Cloth
by Leonie Norrington, Djawundil Maymuru, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs and Djawa Burarrwanga (Allen & Unwin)
The judges described this as an important work for both its story and its cultural and historical significance, particularly highlighting the collaborative relationships between its writers and the cultural context in which the book was developed.
A Piece of Red Cloth is also currently a finalist in the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.
Non-Fiction
The judges describe the three non-fiction titles as carrying ‘truth in their pages’, tackling subjects ranging from family history and Darwin’s past to art and the experience of a national and personal disaster with courage, vulnerability, laughter and tears.
Keep Him My Heart: A Larrakia-Filipino Love Story
by Gary Lee (Dishevel Books)
A story intertwining family and Darwin history, the judges praised the work for exploring an underrepresented part of Darwin’s history. They describe it as a dynamic and geographically expansive work dealing with pain, resonance and, ultimately, forgiveness.
High Fire Danger
by Emma Trenorden (Walleah Press)
A poetry collection responding to the Black Summer fires and the ongoing reality of living with fire and the threat of fire. The judges praise Trenorden’s sparse, beautifully written poetry, describing the collection as thoughtful, considered and unforgettable.
The Art of Kaylene Whiskey: Do You Believe in Love?
by Kaylene Whiskey, Natalie King and Iwantja Arts (Thames & Hudson Australia)
A vibrant catalogue exploring Kaylene Whiskey’s art and artistic journey. The judges highlighted the book’s colourful pages, Whiskey’s voice in the opening interview, and its expansive portrait of the Iwantja/Indulkana community.
ArtsHub: Kaylene Whiskey review – offering super-powered conversations
Children’s and Young Adult
The judges said the children’s and young adult category was so strong that selecting a shortlist was ‘almost impossible’, with the selected books demonstrating a strong grasp of craft, thoughtful connections between illustration and story, and an understanding of what makes a story engaging and memorable for audiences of all ages.
Raymaŋgirrbuy dhäwu When I was a little girl
by Kylie Gatjawarrawuy Mununggurr (Magabala Books)
A lively, illustrated book that the judges said would delight both adults and children.
The Wobbly Bike
by Darren McCallum, illustrated by Craig Smith (Walker Books Australia)
A charming picture book about growing up in the Top End, combining natural rhyming with captivating illustrations. The book champions kindness, inclusion, self-belief and perseverance, with the judges praising its appeal as a book to share and read aloud.
Gulun’
by Children at Yirrkala School (Indigenous Literacy Foundation)
A counting book rooted in landscape, place, belonging, local knowledge and language. Created by the children of Yirrkala School, the judges described it as a ‘clever and special book’ that will preserve a record of the children’s work and knowledge for the future.
Highly commended: On the Way to Yalaŋbara
by Rärriwuy Gurramu Marika and Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs (Indigenous Literacy Foundation)
Highly commended by the judges for its deep engagement with place, gentle approach to disappointment, and its beautifully realised illustrations.
