The Readings Prize 2024 winners
Nearly 100 submissions, 18 shortlisted books and now we celebrate four winners!
It’s a fantastic achievement just being shortlisted for this prize for emerging Australian talent, and we have one final shout-out to our highly recommended shortlisted books and authors at the end of this post.
Our winners represent a diverse snapshot of quality writing in Australia today. A contemporary Muddleheaded Wombat, an action-packed tale of the repercussions of one bad decision, a heartfelt journey in search of identity and belonging on Melbourne’s streets, and a puzzle of a story about three generations of mothers and daughters.
This year we have recorded a podcast featuring interviews with the winners and I encourage you to listen to these amazing authors talk about their work, as well as reading them on the page. I cannot thank all our judges enough for their incredible commitment to reading and engaging with the submitted books over the past year, particularly our Teen Advisory Board, who read all the shortlisted books in only a month and then came together to choose their favourite. I am delighted to now hand you over to the chair of judges for each prize to announce their winner.
- Angela Crocombe, The Readings Prize coordinator
🏆 The Readings New Australian Fiction 2024 winner
The Readings New Australian Fiction Prize for the best new contribution to Australian fiction.
Thanks for Having Me by Emma Darragh
Melinda Houston, chair of judges: ‘What a year it’s been for local storytelling. The competition for The New Australian Fiction Prize was so strong the judges really struggled to whittle the entrants down to just six for the shortlist, let alone choosing the ultimate winner. It’s a great problem to have.
Even better, this year we’re celebrating both a terrific new talent in Emma Darragh, and an exciting new imprint from Allen & Unwin – Joan – headed by acclaimed First Nations writer, actor and comedian Nakkiah Lui and dedicated to telling stories that might not otherwise find a voice.
Darragh’s debut, Thanks for Having Me, certainly fits the bill. Infused with a welcome working-class vibe, it’s a fresh, sophisticated take on the “bad mother”, following three generations of women who love their daughters, but do not love being parents. Mothers who walk out on their kids are among the last true taboos, but Darragh presents these emotionally complex interwoven narratives with enormous subtlety, compassion, clarity – and humour. She also manages to take a series of vividly specific situations and give them universal appeal. We all agreed Thanks for Having Me is one of the most accomplished novels – debut or otherwise – we’ve seen in a long time.
We’re all looking forward to sharing this, the rest of the shortlist, and the many other books we read and loved over the course of the judging (more than 50 all up) and know you’ll enjoy them as much as we have.’
Author Emma Darragh said of her win:
‘What an honour it is to receive The Readings New Australian Fiction Prize for Thanks for Having Me. While I was writing it, I wasn’t sure anyone would even want to read it – an experimental book about girlhood and motherhood and growing up in the suburbs – let alone celebrate it like this! Readings is an Aussie literary institution, and such recognition and support mean so much to me.’
Our staff judges for The Readings New Australian Fiction Prize 2024 are:
- Melinda Houston (chair of judges, Readings Carlton)
- Yasmin Baker (Readings Doncaster)
- Aurelia Orr (Readings Kids)
- Louise Ryan (Readings Carlton)
The 2024 winner receives $5000 in prize money.
🏆 The Readings Children’s Prize 2024 winner
The Readings Children’s Prize for the best new contribution to Australian children’s literature.
Wurrtoo by Tylissa Elisara & Dylan Finney (illus.)
Dani Solomon, chair of judges: ‘There was such a high standard of writing in the entries for The Readings Children’s Prize this year that it was a pleasurable challenge to choose our winner. Lengthy discussions were held, but in the end the title that was most beloved and we felt would speak to a wide variety of children was Wurrtoo.
Wurrtoo is a wombat so used to being alone that he has mistakenly fallen in love with the sky and embarks on a quest to propose to her. Just before he sets off on his journey, he meets a koala called Kuula, who invites herself to join Wurrtoo’s adventure, insisting she should be his guide. So while this is the story of Wurrtoo, it is also a story of friendship between two seemingly incompatible characters as they journey together.
Wurrtoo reminds us of Blinky Bill, the Muddleheaded Wombat and Winnie-the-Pooh, all rolled into one. Wurrtoo is unashamedly Australian in a way that feels natural and nostalgic, but not dated. The landscape is so vividly described you can smell the eucalyptus as you read and there are wonderful depictions of First Nations culture and practices. The judges are united in their love for this timeless, beautiful story, and strongly recommend Wurrtoo to all readers!’
Author Tylissa Elisara said of her win:
‘Since childhood, I always felt I had a smaller voice than most. Wurrtoo was born from the quietest version of that voice, through my musings as a mother and wannabe author, telling my young child a story to soothe him to sleep. To know it has been heard and acknowledged by such an influential and prominent book retailer like Readings is incredibly empowering. I am filled with so much gratitude and joy.’
Our staff judges for The Readings Children’s Prize 2024 are:
- Dani Solomon (chair of judges, Readings Kids)
- Athina Clarke (Readings Carlton)
- Miranda La Fleur (Readings St Kilda)
- Kate O’Mara (Readings Hawthorn)
The 2024 winner receives $5000 in prize money.
🏆 The Readings Young Adult Prize 2024 winner
The Readings Young Adult Prize for the best new contribution to Australian young adult literature.
We Didn't Think It Through by Gary Lonesborough
Alicia Guiney, chair of judges: ‘This book is a masterclass in how YA writing can tackle difficult topics and approach important conversations without speaking down to a young audience. Instead, Gary Lonesborough challenges the reader to confront weighty issues, like the incarceration of Indigenous youth and the failures of the foster care system. Through the eyes of the main character, Jamie, the reader not only bears witness to these problems, but feels something of what it would be like to be affected by them.
Despite the heavy subject matter, at no point does this book feel dense. It is beautifully paced and accessible and evokes in the reader a strong sense of empathy for Jamie and the supporting characters. Lonesborough cleverly weaves elements of poetry into the narrative, painting a stark, brutal image of the fear and helplessness of juvenile detention.
We Didn’t Think It Through is a superb example of YA fiction, but it is also a book I believe will be enjoyed by audiences from 15 to (well beyond!) 50. This is a book we are proud to say is our winner, and I hope through this award we encourage readers of all ages to engage with it.’
Author Gary Lonesborough said of his win:
‘I’m so thrilled and humbled that We Didn’t Think It Through has won The Readings Young Adult Prize! I’m such a fan of the work Readings do for authors and I’m so grateful for the love they have shown my work. This book in particular was an Everest. There were many times during the drafting, revising and editing where I wanted to give up, or thought that the book was too hard or complex for me, so it’s truly an honour to receive such beautiful recognition. Thank you!’
Our staff judges of The Readings Young Adult Prize 2024 are:
- Alicia Guiney (chair of judges, Readings Kids)
- Julia Jackson (Readings Carlton)
- Kate McIntosh (Readings Emporium)
- Vasilia Nerouppos (Readings Doncaster)
The 2024 winner receives $5000 in prize money.
🏆 The Gab Williams Prize 2024 winner
The Gab Williams Prize seeks to acknowledge the contribution of Gabrielle Williams, a young adult author and past manager of The Readings Prize, who passed away early in 2023. Unlike the other prize winners, which are chosen by panels of Readings booksellers, this one has been chosen by teens themselves, aged between 14 to 18, and all participants in The Readings Teen Advisory Board. The board read all the books shortlisted for The Readings Young Adult Prize and came together to choose their favourite from the shortlist as the winner of The Gab Williams Prize.
A Way Home by Emily Brewin
Alicia Vu, chair of judges: ‘The Readings Teen Advisory Board has had the privilege of immersing ourselves in six incredible novels that explored life as a teenager in Australia. It is our great honour and pleasure to announce Emily Brewin’s inspiring novel A Way Home as the winner of The Gab Williams Prize for 2024. Brewin portrays a visceral, raw and authentic story that explores the complexities of forging our own path in the face of adversity. Set in Melbourne, the main protagonist, Grace, is marked with a journey of loss and a deep desperation to understand herself – she is beautifully flawed, making her a realistic character who resonated with us all. Brewin weaves a story of resilience, immense strength and love as she questions the true meaning of “home” and emphasises that even the smallest act of kindness can go a long way.
A powerful and motivating read, Brewin brings a new light to the YA genre and the challenges of homelessness, mental health, isolation and the difficulties of being a teenager. But above all else, the novel is characterised by hope and compassion, advocating for us to ask the important question, “Are you okay?” because we never know what a person may be experiencing. This novel gives a voice to the unseen and is an inspirational story of perseverance, growth, hope and searching for our place in the world. We congratulate Emily Brewin on delivering a novel that captured all our hearts and a story of finding your own way home.’
Author Emily Brewin said of her win:
‘Thank you to Readings and the judges of The Gab Williams Prize for awarding A Way Home. I’m thrilled and humbled that my book resonated with you. The novel’s protagonist, Grace, is a young woman experiencing homelessness after caring for her ill mum. I’m indebted to the many people whose lived experiences informed Grace and her story. I also want to acknowledge Gab Williams, YA author and past manager of The Readings Prize, whom the prize honours. Gab’s meaningful contribution to readers and writers alike will not be forgotten.’
The Readings Teen Advisory Board judges of The Gab Williams Prize 2024 are:
- Ciara Allen
- Alex Becker
- Maggie Cai
- Saskia de Leeuw Kyle
- Amelia Dumesny
- Mouna El Haouli
- Ellie Fisher
- Rida Hussain
- Likitha Kujala
- Shenelle Lokubalasuriya
- Kat Radtke
- Alicia Vu
The 2024 winner receives $1000 in prize money.
A final shout-out to our highly recommended shortlisted books and authors!
The Readings Children's Prize 2024 shortlist
The Readings Young Adult Prize 2024 shortlist
The Readings New Australian Fiction Prize 2024 shortlist.
