2022 Stella shortlist celebrates diversity of form

The Stella Prize, worth $50,000 and awarded to Australian women and non-binary writers, has just announced their shortlist for 2022. Of the six books in contention, half of them are debut titles.

Alongside more traditional forms, a graphic novel and a couple of poetry books have also made the cut – for the first time since its inception ten years ago, the Stella Prize permitted poetry in 2022.

The judges, Melissa Lucashenko (Chair), Declan Fry, Cate Kennedy, Sisonke Msimang and Oliver Reeson have selected an eclectic list from over 220 entries. Of the finalists, there is a novel, a non-fiction, a social history, a graphic novel, a long form book-length essay and poetry collections in the mix.