‘Grand and intimate’: Miles Franklin shortlisted novels grapple with profound questions of our time
The 2026 Miles Franklin literary award shortlist has been announced, featuring six novels that explore complex themes like dementia, war, and migration. The prize, worth $60,000, includes a mix of debut novelists and established writers.
Why it matters
The Miles Franklin award is Australia's most prestigious literary prize, and its shortlist serves as a significant indicator of current cultural and social discourse in the country.
Six novels in the shortlist for the Miles Franklin literary award: Little World by Josephine Rowe (Black Inc), My Heart At Evening by Konrad Muller (Evercreech Editions), Discipline by Randa Abdel-Fattah (UPQ), You Must Remember This by Sean Wilson (Affirm Press), Fierceland by Omar Musa (Penguin Random House Australia) and First Name Second Name by Steve MinOn (UQP). Composite: Guardian Design/Black Inc, Evercreech, UQP, Simon & Schuster, Penguin Books Australia View image in fullscreen Six novels in the shortlist for the Miles Franklin literary award: Little World by Josephine Rowe (Black Inc), My Heart At Evening by Konrad Muller (Evercreech Editions), Discipline by Randa Abdel-Fattah (UPQ), You Must Remember This by Sean Wilson (Affirm Press), Fierceland by Omar Musa (Penguin Random House Australia) and First Name Second Name by Steve MinOn (UQP). Composite: Guardian Design/Black Inc, Evercreech, UQP, Simon & Schuster, Penguin Books Australia Australian books ‘Grand and intimate’: Miles Franklin shortlisted novels grapple with profound questions of our time Six writers in running for $60,000 prize, including first-time nominees Randa Abdel-Fattah, Steve MinOn, Konrad Muller and Sean Wilson
The article provides a factual overview of a literary award shortlist and the themes of the selected works.
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