We are absolutely thrilled that Margot McGovern has won the John Marsden Prize for Writing for Young Adults at the 2026 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, for her YA horror novel, This Stays Between Us (Penguin Random House Australia).
The Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards (VPLAs) were inaugurated by the State government in 1985 to honour Australian writing. The Wheeler Centre proudly administers the Awards on behalf of the Premier of Victoria. And 2026 is the first year that the VPLAs have awarded the John Marsden Prize for Writing for Young Adults; worth $25,000, and so-named, to honour the life and legacy of legendary YA author, John Marsden.
Margot is absolutely delighted to have won this award, and acknowledged the great Australian YA author it is named after, saying;
‘Growing up in the late-90s and early-2000s, John Marsden was one of my favourite authors as I am certain he was for many of you here tonight. It’s not exaggeration to say that his stories – stories that proudly centred the experience of young Australians, in a market that favoured and continues to favour US-titles – and the impact those stories had on me as a young reader, are a large part of the reason I write young adult literature today. I am so incredibly honoured to accept this award that bears John Marsden’s name, and to be part of the new generation of authors creating stories for young Australians.’
The judge’s report commending Margot as the winner, was also delightful and heart-swelling to read; ‘This Stays Between Us is a taut, gripping horror novel, flawless in its execution. Incredibly original in both narrative and voice, McGovern expertly wields and manipulates the conventions and tropes of the genre. Running beneath this terrifying, delicious horror is a timely critique of the way that women and girls become victims of violence, even when they survive it. Perfectly pitched for a YA audience, we were impressed by every element of this novel, from its realistic and authentic representations of teenage relationships, the demonstration of craft across the novel’s multiple points of view and the way it delivered something new and exciting within such a familiar genre.’
Heartiest of congratulations to Margot, and all the winners and shortlisted on this extraordinary achievement! And you can re-watch the live-streamed awards on YouTube
