The Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Australian Novelists

The Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Australian Novelists award was created in 1997 by the newspaper's literary editor, Susan Wyndham and is made annually. The awards recognise emerging writing talent, and are made to writers who are aged 35 years or younger when their book is first published.[1]

The award criteria were relaxed in 2009 to allow the inclusion of short story collections.[2] That year, Nam Le won the award with his short story collection, The Boat.

The judges change regularly, and the number of writers named as "Best Young Australian Novelist" each year varies. Ten were named in the award's first year.

Past winners

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2024[3]

  • André Dao, Anam
  • Emily O'Grady, Feast
  • John Morrissey, Firelight

2023[4]

  • Jay Carmichael, Marlo
  • Katerina Gibson, Women I Know
  • George Haddad, Losing Face

2022[5]

  • Ella Baxter, New Animal
  • Michael Burrows, Where the Line Breaks
  • Diana Reid, Love and Virtue

2021[6]

2020[7]

2019[8]

2018[9]

2017[10]

2016[2]

2015[2]

2014[2]

2013[2]

2012[2]

2011[2]

2010[2]

2009[2]

2008[2]

2007[2]

2006[2]

2005[2]

2004[2]

2003[2]

2002[2]

2001[2]

2000[2]

1999[2]

1998[2]

1997[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Four writers named 2017 'SMH' Best Young Australian Novelists". Books + Publishing. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Wyndham, Susan (9 May 2016). "The Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Australian Novelists Award turns 20". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  3. ^ Kembrey, Melanie (17 May 2024). "Three writers named 2024 Best Young Australian Novelists". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Carmichael, Gibson, Haddad named SMH Best Young Australian Novelists 2023". Books+Publishing. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  5. ^ Moran, Robert (29 April 2022). "Sex, love and footnotes: Meet the 2022 Best Young Australian Novelists". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  6. ^ Steger, Jason (23 April 2021). "'We were unanimous': three debut authors named best young Australian novelists". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Bishop, Bui, Rowe named SMH 2020 Best Young Aus Novelists". Books+Publishing. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Four writers named 2019 'SMH' Best Young Australian Novelists". Books+Publishing. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  9. ^ Steger, Jason (30 April 2018). "The 2018 Best Young Australian Novelists: Jennifer Down, Pip Smith and more". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  10. ^ Morris, Linda (28 May 2017). "The 2017 Best Young Australian Novelists". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 April 2018.