Briony Stewart’s Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Tooth Fairy (And Some Things You Didn’t) (Lothian Children’s Books) and To Stir with Love (Simon & Schuster Australia) written by Kate Mildenhall, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft – have both been longlisted in the 2025 Indie Book Awards!

The Indie Book Awards were established in 2008 with the aim of creating a unique award recognising and rewarding the best Australian writing as chosen by Australian independent booksellers. The Awards celebrate the enormous depth and range of literary talent in this nation.

The Indie Book Awards differ from other literary awards because they are chosen by independent booksellers who are renowned for their love of books and reading, support new and emerging Australian authors and foster a love of quality writing.

All Australian independent bookshops are invited to nominate in the Indie Book Awards. Independent bookstores across the country are owned and managed by people who care about their customers, books and the art of bookselling and, most importantly, the importance of fostering strong and vibrant Australian culture and writing.

The Shortlist will be announced on 15 January 2025, with the Category Winners and the Overall Book of the Year Winner being announced at a virtual awards event on Monday 24 March 2025.

Congratulations to Briony, Kate and Jess and all other longlisted authors!