Hachette Australia, along with the Richell family, and in partnership with the Emerging Writers’ Festival (EWF) and Simpsons Solicitors, is delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2026 Richell Prize for Emerging Writers, now in its twelfth year.

Joel Naoum, Publishing Director of Hachette Australia, says ‘The power of the Richell Prize is the power of promise – both for the writers and for Hachette. We are so proud of the Richell Prize because it honours the memory of Matt Richell while also honouring the talent that upholds the publishing industry: writers. This Prize creates a space to nurture and develop a work. The Richell Prize is unique in that we’re judging three chapters and an idea rather than a finished book, so we are reading for promise. That’s the most exciting kind of reading there is – you’re catching a writer at the beginning of their career. Every one of these shortlisted entries made me want to read the rest of the work immediately and on behalf of the judges I want to congratulate the six shortlisted writers.’

Jes Layton, EWF Executive Director & Co-CEO, says ‘This is my final year with EWF and one of the things that has brought me joy in this role has been watching so many writers back themselves and enter their work in the Richell Prize. EWF’s involvement in a prize that focuses on nurturing emerging writers has meant a perfect synergy with Hachette. Every year I have been so impressed by the quality of the writers who submit. That quality is evident in the announcement of the 2026 shortlist, and I want to congratulate all the writers. I also want to thank Anita Solak for her impressive work as the coordinator of the Richell Prize and all the judges for their time and expertise. A special thanks to all the readers who work so hard to sort through the entries. And an especially big thank you to the Richell family and Hannah Richell. Congratulations again to the 2026 shortlisted writers. Bravo!’ 

This year there were 1022 entries and every entry was read by two readers before the judging panel – Cindy Manfong, from the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF); Simon McDonald, from Dymocks; Jane Turner, from Gertrude & Alice; Vanessa Radnidge, Head of Non-Fiction & Literary at Hachette Australia; and Hannah Richell, bestselling author – all read and discussed the entries to decide on the brilliant shortlisted writers.

They are, in alphabetical order by surname:

Chloe Anne | THE HOUSE WHERE MERCY DIED
A confident work that demonstrated the writer possessed a mastery for building tension and atmosphere, and a strong ability to make the skin prickle on the back of your neck. All the judges were hooked.

Mike Boynes | MOOLA BULLA
This challenging work gives clarity to horrific events in our history. The judges were impressed by the care the writerhad taken to respectfully interrogate Aboriginal experience and the impact of government and police intervention in the Kimberley.

Farrin Foster | THE SAME HOUSE
A memoir that the judges found compelling in its examination of the way familial relationships change shape around the weight of intergenerational trauma. The writer’s ability to link the past and the present was striking. 

Euri Glenn | HARVEST
The world building in this dystopian fantasy captured the judges’ attention. Built on a truly unique concept, its powerful feminist message could not be ignored. 

KT Major | PERIL
All the judges were captivated by this eco-political thriller that felt timely and insightful in its exploration of global politics and family trauma. There are a number of themes that brought a fresh take to the thriller genre.   

Gillian Worrall | EXHIBIT A FOR ALTHEA
The judges were intrigued by this dark, cutting, funny work that combines true crime with a fractured family dynamic and they all wanted to read more.

In announcing the shortlist the judges said:

‘We know it is an act of courage to enter any creative work in a competition. We want to thank every writer who was brave enough to enter this year’s Prize. It was an honour to read the twenty-four longlisted entries and discuss them in the judges’ meeting. We are all passionate readers and so there were some interesting discussions and different views presented, but the six shortlisted writers all captured our attention and demanded acknowledgement for their talent, creativity and promise. Congratulations to all.’  

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ABOUT THE JUDGES:

Cindy Manfong is a proud Jingili, Mudburra and Mangarrayi woman from Katherine, Northern Territory, and a Publishing Project Editor at the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF). As part of her publishing work, she has built trust and relationships with remote and very remote Communities across the country. Collaborating with local artists, authors, children and language speakers, she has been trusted not only with their stories but with the opportunity to support the sharing of their cultures and knowledges, and contribute to the already strong foundations of literacy in Community life. 

Simon McDonald is a Sydney-based writer, insatiable reader, critic and award-winning bookseller. The 2020 winner of the Australian Booksellers Association (ABA) Young Bookseller of the Year award, Simon’s passionate support of writers and Australian authors is legendary and has only become stronger over the years. Currently the Fiction Buyer at Dymocks, Simon juggles reading around work and family life.

Jane Turner is not only the heart and soul of Gertrude & Alice Cafe Bookstore, she co-owns the store with her two children, Kate and Jordan. A proud Bondi local, Jane’s roots in the community run deep – and so does her love of literature, coffee and conversation. She opened the doors to the store in 2001 after a decade living overseas, naming the space after literary legends Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas – two women who defied expectations and created community through words and ideas. That spirit lives on in the store today.

Vanessa Radnidge is the Head of Non-Fiction & Literary at Hachette Australia, and her passion is connecting great storytellers and great stories with their readers. At Hachette, she has published fiction and non-fiction and is very proud to have worked with Favel Parrett, Mark Brandi, Stephanie Bishop, Brooke Davis, Catherine Therese, Nardi Simpson, John Farnham, Peter FitzSimons, Dr Norman Swan, Hilde Hinton, Lisa Wilkinson and Myf Warhurst, to name just a few.

Before becoming a writer, Hannah Richell worked in the book publishing and film industries in both London and Sydney. She is a dual citizen of Great Britain and Australia and currently lives in the southwest of England with her family. Hannah is the author of several international bestsellers, including Secrets of the Tides, The Search Party and One Dark Night. Her bestselling memoir, An Ocean and a Day, was released in July this year. Her work has been translated into twenty-one languages.