2026 Indie Book Awards
The shortlists for the 2026 Indie Book Awards have been announced.
Chosen from the longlist announced in December, the shortlisted titles in selected categories are:
Fiction
- Mad Mabel (Sally Hepworth, Macmillan) – reviewed by QRC – click on the title to read our review.
- Tenderfoot (Toni Jordan, Hachette)
- Wild Dark Shore (Charlotte McConaghy, Penguin)
- One Hundred Years of Betty (Debra Oswald, A&U)
Children’s
- There’s a Prawn in Parliament House (Annabel Crabb, illus by First Dog on the Moon, A&U Children’s)
- Harry and Gran Bake a Cake (Fiona McIntosh, illus by Sara Acton, Puffin)
- Silverborn (Jessica Townsend, Lothian Children’s).
Leading Edge Retail head of books Leanne Kadareanu, facilitator of the awards, said, “The 2026 Indie Book Awards shortlist highlights the depth, creativity and diversity of Australian writing today. Selected by independent booksellers who champion Australian books every day, these standout titles represent the very best of Australian publishing this year.”
The winners of each category and the Overall Book of the Year winner will be announced at a virtual awards event on 23 March 2026.
More information is available on the Indie Book Awards website.