Sandy Bigna and Margot McGovern have both made the South Australian Literary Awards Shortlist!

Proudly brought to us by the State Library of South Australia, the South Australian Literary Awards celebrate outstanding writers and literary achievement across Australia while championing South Australian voices and stories. Through a range of prizes and fellowships, the Awards recognise emerging and established writers across multiple genres and contribute to a vibrant literary culture.

This year we are thrilled that Margot McGovern’s This Stays Between Us (Penguin Random House Australia) has been recognised in the Young Adult Fiction Award Shortlist, which has a $15,000 award up for grabs; for a published book of fiction aimed at readers aged 12 to 18 years.

And that Sandy Bigna’s Little Bones (UQP) is being celebrated in the Children’s Literature Award Shortlist. Also with a $15,000 prize, for a published fiction or non-fiction book aimed at readers up to 11 years.

Presented biennially by the State Library of South Australia, the Awards include three fellowships for South Australian writers, helping to nurture local talent and strengthen the state’s literary community. The Awards are made possible through the support of the Government of South Australia through CreateSA, together with valued partners Writers SA, Wakefield Press, Carclew and State Theatre South Australia.

Winners of the 2026 South Australian Literary Awards will be announced on Thursday 5 November 2026.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted, especially our own Margot and Sandy!