2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award shortlist unveiled
June 20, 2023
Five first-time nominees, including a debut author, are among the six talented writers shortlisted for the 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award.
Announced today by Perpetual as Trustee, alongside Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund, the authors will be competing for one of the most prestigious literary prizes in Australia, with the winner receiving $60,000.
The 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award shortlist is:
- Hopeless Kingdom by Kgshak Akec (UWA Publishing)
- Limberlost by Robbie Arnott (Text Publishing)
- Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au (Giramondo Publishing)
- Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran (Ultimo Press)
- The Lovers by Yumna Kassab (Ultimo Press)
- Iris by Fiona Kelly McGregor (Pan Macmillan Australia)
According to the judges, “The 2023 Miles shortlist celebrates six works that delve deeply into archives and memory, play confidently with style and structure and strike new grounds in language and form. From deeply immersive tales to polished jewels of craft, from lyrical mappings of land to convention-breaking chronicles, this is novel-writing at its freshest and boldest.”
The 2023 judging panel comprises Mitchell Librarian of the State Library of NSW and Chair, Richard Neville; author and literary critic, Dr Bernadette Brennan; literary scholar and translator, Dr Mridula Nath Chakraborty; book critic, Dr James Ley; and author and editor, Dr Elfie Shiosaki.
Each of the 2023 shortlisted authors receives $5,000 from the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund.
Copyright Agency’s CEO, Josephine Johnston, said, “This year’s Miles Franklin Literary Award shortlist showcases exceptional writing from some of our most talented and diverse storytellers. The shortlist represents the immense breadth of literary endeavour and the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund is delighted to support this prestigious award. Congratulations to all the shortlisted writers!”
The 2023 winner will be announced on 25 July 2023.
For enquiries or to request interviews, please contact:
Jane Morey
Morey Media
0416 097 678
jane@moreymedia.com.au
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About the Miles Franklin Literary Award www.milesfranklin.com.au
Perpetual is the Trustee for the Miles Franklin Literary Award. The Award was established in 1954 by the estate of My Brilliant Career author Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin to celebrate the Australian character and creativity. It supports the betterment of Australian literature by each year recognising the novel of the highest literary merit which presents Australian Life in any of its phases. Since being established, the Award has distributed over $1.42 million in philanthropic funds to authors. Those wishing to be part of the Miles Franklin legacy can donate to the Franklin Support Fund to become a friend of the Award. Please visit the website for further details.
About Perpetual Philanthropic Services
Perpetual is one of Australia’s largest managers of philanthropic funds, with $3.5 billion in funds under advice for charitable trusts and endowment funds (as at 30 June 2022). Perpetual is trustee for over 1000 charitable trusts and endowments and provides individuals and families with advice on establishing charitable foundations and structured giving programs. Each year Perpetual distributes more than $100 million to community organisations on behalf of its clients. Perpetual also assists charities and not-for-profit organisations with investment advice and management.
Perpetual’s Philanthropic Services and advice are provided by Perpetual Trustee Company Limited (PTCo), ABN 42 000 001 007, AFSL 236643. The information contains general information only and is not intended to provide advice or take into account personal objectives, financial situation or needs. The information is believed to be accurate at the time of compilation and is provided by PTCo in good faith. To the extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted for any loss or damage as a result of any reliance on this information. PTCo does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information included in this document which was contributed by a third party.
About the Copyright Agency and Cultural Fund
The Copyright Agency is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that has been standing up for creators for more than 40 years. We enable the reuse of copyright-protected words and images in return for fair payment to creators. The Cultural Fund is the philanthropic arm of the Copyright Agency, contributing meaningfully to a wide range of Australian cultural, educational, and artistic programs and creators. Through its support it fosters greater understanding and engagement of national culture both locally and internationally.
Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund is a long-time supporter of the Miles Franklin Literary Award, providing $5,000 to each of the finalists and granting more than half a million dollars to this premier Australian literary prize since 2004.