The ACT Government has announced the shortlist for the 2020 ACT Book of the Year. Minister for the Arts Tara Cheyne congratulated the authors and confirmed that an event will take place later in July to announce the winner.
“The ACT Government’s ACT Book of the Year Award aims to support the development of ACT-based writers and to contribute towards a positive writing culture in the ACT.” Minister Cheyne commented “The award recognises quality contemporary literary works by ACT-based authors in the previous calendar year, with prizes of $10,000 for the winner, $2,000 for any highly commended book and $1,000 for each shortlisted book.”

2020 ACT BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS – SHORTLIST
• Acting Like a Girl by Sandra Renew (Recent Work Press)
• Bodies of Men by Nigel Featherstone (Hachette Australia)
• Ghost Bird by Lisa Fuller (University of Queensland Press)
• In Whom We Trust by John Clanchy (Finlay Lloyd)
• The Enchantment of the Long-haired Rat by Tim Bonyhady (Text Publishing)

Judging of the 2020 ACT Book of the Year Award, which has typically been announced in December, was delayed due to COVID. Entries are now open for the 2021 ACT Book of the Year. Submissions close 5pm, 2 August 2021. Learn more about how to submit a publication.